Seoul: U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel emphasized the South Korea-U.S. alliance as the "linchpin" of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific. Steel made her remarks during a forum in Seoul, underscoring the historical significance of the bilateral alliance, which was established over 70 years ago through the shared sacrifices of the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Steel highlighted that the U.S.-ROK alliance, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea, has been pivotal in maintaining peace and security. She noted that the alliance is more than just a governmental agreement, describing it as a "human story" forged in conflict and secured by American and Korean soldiers who united to defend freedom.
Steel pointed out South Korea's emergence as a leader in technology, culture, manufacturing, and democracy, attributing these accomplishments primarily to the Korean people and the service members of both nations' armed forces. She expressed gratitude to the active-duty service members from U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and the ROK armed forces, acknowledging their role as the embodiment of the alliance's strength.
Discussing the joint fact sheet adopted after the summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump last year, Steel stated that the agreement reflects the allies' collaborative efforts towards a "stronger, safer, and more prosperous future." She outlined ongoing initiatives to enhance security cooperation, modernize the alliance, deepen trade and investment, and expand cooperation in shipbuilding, technology, and regional security.
Eighth Army Commander Lt. Gen. Joseph Hilbert reinforced the notion that the South Korea-U.S. alliance extends beyond a security agreement limited to the peninsula, describing it as a "comprehensive global partnership" essential amidst rising global tensions. He emphasized the importance of deterrence against multifaceted security challenges, including the increasing coordination among authoritarian states like North Korea, Russia, and China.
Hilbert warned of the persistent threat posed by North Korea, or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), highlighting its military ambitions, weapons programs, and cyber activities as having broader implications beyond the peninsula. He stressed that global deterrence is crucial and underscored the need for alliance modernization to maintain a robust defensive posture.
The forum, organized by the U.S. Alliance Foundation and Korea Defense Veterans Association, focused on the theme, "The sacrifice of the U.S. Forces Korea after the armistice agreement, and the South Korea-U.S. alliance." The event was attended by Vice Veterans Minister Kang Yun-jin, former USFK commanders, and Korean War veterans.