Remarks by
H.E. Kang Kyung-wha
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Camp Red Cloud
25 June 2017

Indian Head Warriors! Gentleman and Ladies! I hope a very good Sunday morning for all of you.

It is a great privilege and honor for me to meet with you this morning - freedom fighters defending the frontlines of the free world. Indeed, I am deeply honored to visit the division which came first to our help during the Korean War. It was the spearhead of the 8th United States Army that broke through the siege in Nakdong River Defense Line and pushed all the way north. And today, 2ID is the only U.S. Army division unit that is permanently forward deployed in the world. My heartfelt congratulations as you mark your centennial birthday.

On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Korea, I express our most sincere appreciation to all members of the U.S. Forces in Korea. We are truly grateful for your selfless service, sacrifice and dedication. I also thank particularly Lieutenant General Vandal of the 8th United States Army and Brigadier General Kim, Deputy Commander of the 2ID/RUCD.

I am aware that my Sunday visit might have caused some extra work on this Sunday morning as you probably had to police the area. But the visit today is to remember today of 67 years ago when the Korean War broke out. That was also a Sunday. I am told that many foreign ministers have visited U.S. Forces on the Korean peninsula. But I am told that I am the first to do so on a day marking out-break of the war. So I am even more deeply honored that I can share this morning with all of you.

During the war, the U.S. Forces fought valiantly. It successfully carried out a number of missions impossible. One of them was the well-known Hungnam Evacuation, code-named Christmas Cargo and also known as the Miracle of Christmas. It is to date the largest evacuation from land by a single ship. You must also know by now that President Moon’s parents were part of the 14,000 refugees who boarded SS Meredith Victory.

When he visits Washington D.C. in a few days, President Moon will invite veterans of the Hungnam Evacuation. The Republic of Korea will never forget the noble sacrifice made by the U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.

In the decades after the Korean War, the ROK-U.S. Alliance has been the guardian of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. As the Vice President Pence said during his visit in April, our two countries shed blood together. We have prospered together. And, most importantly, we will go together. For our two nations to go together, seeking greater peace and prosperity, we must resolve our common threat. That is rapidly growing threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.

Thus, the ROK-US alliance stands at a critical juncture to address this existential threat from North Korea and to ensure durable peace and stability on the Peninsula. This will be a daunting challenge. But I am confident that we can together overcome it. With our ironclad, rock-solid alliance and combined defense posture, we can achieve our common goal.

Four days from now, our two Presidents will have their first meeting in Washington D.C. My President will express his appreciation for the solid ROK-U.S. alliance and your indispensable contribution. Our two leaders will discuss joint strategy on furthering our comprehensive strategic alliance. They will also be drawing big pictures on how best to address the North Korean nuclear and missile threats.

So I am indeed very glad to have made this visit today, which gives me great confidence in our combined defense posture and our great alliance. You are our heroes and heroines.

2ID Warriors, thank you for your unswerving commitment and devotion. You are truly second to none. Thank you. /END/