열린장관실

 제10차 한미동맹의 밤(12.5.) 축사(영상)

Congratulatory Remarks 

by H.E. Park Jin

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea

December 5, 2023

Aloha and good evening!

Governor Josh Green,

Admiral John Aquilino,

Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke,

Admiral Samuel Paparo,

Ambassador 조현동,

Consul General 이서영,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to extend my heartfelt congratulations at the 10th ROK-US Alliance Night.

My warm greetings go out to all the friends of the ROK-US Alliance in Hawaii. 

I also extend my special appreciation to all members of the US Indo-Pacific Command.

Thank you for your tireless service in defending peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific. 

How I wish I was there to meet all of you in person, enjoying the tropical Hawaiian breeze!

Ladies and Gentleman,

The year 2023 is drawing to a close.

And as we take a moment to look back, I am sure everyone will agree that this has been an extraordinary year for the Korea-US Alliance. 

Throughout the year and across both countries, there were numerous celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US Alliance.  

The culmination was President Yoon Suk Yeol’s historic state visit to the United States in April.

This year is also the 120th anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States.

The story of Korean Americans began here in Hawaii, when the first Korean immigrants set foot in Honolulu in 1903.

Since then, Korean Americans from all walks of life have been contributing to strengthening the fabric of American society. 

Hawaiians know this very well from the service of Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke and many others. 

As a bridge between the East and West, and with its “Aloha Spirit,” Hawaii has long been an ideal location for advancing cooperation between our two countries.

And as home to the US Indo-Pacific Command, the Islands also play a vital role in preserving peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The ROK-US Alliance was forged in blood

70 years ago to defend freedom and democracy.  

To this day, protecting freedom and democracy remains the beating heart of our Alliance. 

But there is a key difference between then and now:

70 years ago, Korea was a war-torn country.

Today, it has become a global economic powerhouse, a vibrant democracy, and a soft power magnet.

Aspiring to become a Global Pivotal State, today’s Korea is expanding its contributions to upholding freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law around the world.

Korea’s enhanced national strength and readiness to contribute, is being harnessed to amplify our Alliance’s potential. 

During his state visit, President Yoon, together with President Biden, cemented our partnership as a “Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance.” 

Our Alliance is ‘global’ because our collaboration is no longer confined to the Korean Peninsula, but spans the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. 

It is ‘comprehensive’ because our partnership covers not only military security.  

But it includes economic security, cutting-edge science and technology, as well as people-to-people exchanges. 

It even reaches outer space. 

In fact, members of INDO-PACOM’s Space Forces participated in the first-ever Korea-US Space Forum last month in Seoul.  

Our Alliance is ‘strategic’ because we share a commitment to safeguarding the rules-based international order built on universal values.

North Korea’s recent launch of the so-called “military reconnaissance satellite” highlights its ever-growing nuclear and missile threats. 

The Washington Declaration and the Nuclear Consultative Group bolstered ROK-US extended deterrence cooperation in the face of this growing challenge.  

Meanwhile, in August, the leaders of Korea, the US, 

and Japan also opened a new era of trilateral cooperation through the Camp David summit.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our Alliance is evolving into a beacon of stability, democracy, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The close partnership between the Korean Consulate General and INDO-PACOM is an important pillar of that evolution. 

I thank Consul General Lee Seo Young, Admiral John Aquilino and Governor Josh Green for their dedication to making our Alliance stronger. 

Let us continue to stand side by side.

Thank you once again.

and I wish you all an enjoyable evening.

We go together! 같이 갑시다!

/END/