열린장관실

 

미2사단 Camp Casey 방문시 격려 말씀

(12.19(월) 14:00-17:00)

□ Introduction

    Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, Major General George Higgins, and all my friends in arms,

    First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the servicemen and women of the 2nd Infantry Division for joining me here today and sparing your valuable time to extend to me such warm hospitality.

    The Christmas holidays are just around the corner.  I am certain that this is the time of year when all of you most yearn to be back home with your loved ones.  However, I hope it will lift your spirits to know that your dedication to duty and the ROK-US alliance is deeply appreciated by the Korean people. 

    We will fondly remember your efforts for peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsula, long after you return to your homeland. 

    It is indeed a great pleasure for me to be here and have the opportunity to speak at one of the most important and strongest bases of the 2nd Infantry Division and US forces in Korea.  I had the chance to visit a USFK base of the 2ID last year.  Thus, I have looked forward to returning with pleasure. 

    I feel very much at home in the midst of your warm welcome.  I am truly honored to express, on behalf of the Korean government and the Korean people, our heartfelt appreciation to all of the USFK personnel and its civilian components.

 

    My deep thanks go to General Higgins for the generosity extended to me during my visit.  I am sure that you must be very proud of your all these fine men and women serving to preserve peace in one of the most tense frontlines in the world.

    I would also like to recognize Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, a most important person in our bilateral alliance.  Though he has been in Korea only a few months, Ambassador Vershbow has already demonstrated his leadership and firm commitment to further strengthening the ROK-US alliance. As Foreign Minister of Korea, I am pleased and honored to work with so fine and distinguished a man as Ambassador Vershbow.

□ Origin of Camp Casey & Major Casey

    Before my visit today, I was told the story of an extraordinarily brave man, Major Hugh B. Casey.  I am sure that you are familiar with his life story as well. Major Casey served as a Company Commander in the 3rd Infantry Division during the Korean War.

    According to Colonel Roy E. Lewis, then Executive Officer of the Division, "He (meaning Major Casey) gave little thought to himself" in carrying out his blocking mission in Hungnam.  (Tragically, Major Casey was killed in a plane crash caused by ground fire in 1951.)

    It is such acts of valor, as shown by Major Casey, that laid the solid foundation for the development of our country.  On my way over here, my thoughts inevitably turned to my thirty-one year old son. 

    He and his generation have been able to enjoy great prosperity and security provided by soldiers like yourselves.  With a deep sense of gratitude to those who have sacrificed their lives to guarantee our present, we must make the utmost efforts to strengthen our alliance even stronger.

□ Zaytun Troop in Iraq

    At the end of last year, I had the opportunity to accompany my President on his visit to the Zaytun Unit, the Korean troops in Iraq. 

    I still remember the moment when we first saw our soldiers, so committed and determined.  Seeing you gathered here today, I am reminded of the brave troops in Iraq who are also in a foreign country, thousands of miles away from their homes.  Nevertheless, I have the greatest confidence in their efforts for and strong committment to building a free and democratic Iraq for the Iraqi people.

    Democracy and freedom are important common values that are shared by Korea and the United States.  It is crucial that we make joint efforts to ensure that such values take root in a newly reformed Iraq, just as it did here in Korea more than 50 years ago. 

    I am confident that the flower of democracy and stability will bloom within the Middle East nation with the help of the multinational forces and international community.  As for Korea, we are also proud to contribute to this noble cause.

    I take this opportunity to extend God's blessing to all courageous soldiers, including the US forces in Iraq, the Korean soldiers in the Zaytun Unit, and every uniformed man and woman in the coalition forces.

□ Nuclear issue and alliance

    One of the most urgent tasks of the ROK-US partnership is the North Korean nuclear issue and this issue requires our great attention now more than ever.

    We earnestly hope that security and stability on the Korean peninsula will be further consolidated through advancements in the Six-Party Talks to solve the nuclear issue.

    Korea and the United States will continue to cooperate closely to keep the momentum for the Talks alive until the central objectives of the Talks are realized.

    Last month, President Bush and President Roh reaffirmed that our ROK-US alliance will continue to develop into a comprehensive, dynamic and mutually beneficial partnership, on the firm basis of the shared values of democracy and freedom.

    There is a saying in Korea that "If given 10 years, even the mountains and rivers will change." By that calculation, the mountains and rivers should have changed more than five times since the launch of our alliance. However, our alliance has remained strong throughout the years, and if any changes have been made, they have been for the better.  As soldiers working for peace and prosperity in Korea, you have been key players in guiding our alliance in a positive and exemplary direction. 

    It is necessary that we should work together to realign our alliance to meet the demands of the new environment of the 21st century.  I pledge my government's full commitment to working closely with you on this task.  This close cooperation holds the greatest  importance in establishing a firm basis of democracy and freedom. 

□ Relocation of bases and Camp Casey

    The realignment of the USFK is an issue that has the most direct relevance to you on active duty. Our two countries have continued to engage in close and intensive consultations on this matter.

    We have already begun efforts to consolidate the surrounding camps.  As you know, Camp Casey is at the forefront of the upcoming changes. After seeing the Camp today, my impression is that it will continue to play a pivotal role as the center of combined operations and preparations of Korea and the US, until Camp Casey is relocated down to Pyong-taek.

    We anticipate that once the realignment is achieved, the USFK will reemerge as a more efficient and better equipped force. As a result, the ROK-US combined deterrence will be further strengthened. I am confident that the ROK-US alliance will become a still more powerful force on the Korean Peninsula in the future.

□ Closing

    Today, I have been honoured to be in the company of the outstanding 2nd Infantry Division soldiers of Camp Casey.  I urge you to continue, as always, to give your very best in carrying out your duties. I also extend my best wishes to all of you for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!   

    I would like to close my remarks by leading you in three time cheers of the slogan that is a favorite of the Second Division :     "Second to None!"

                                "Second to None!"

                                "Second to None!"

Thank you!

                                                                            /END/