SEOUL - Gen. Kang Shin-chul, the deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC), embarked on a visit to the United Nations Command (UNC)'s rear bases in Japan on Monday, as announced by the CFC. This three-day trip includes visits to Yokota Air Base and Yokosuka Navy Base near Tokyo, among other locations. These bases play a critical role in providing logistical and other support in case of emergencies on the Korean Peninsula.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Gen. Kang, who assumed office in early November, is accompanied by Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison, the UNC's deputy commander. This visit marks Gen. Kang’s first to the UNC bases since taking his position. The CFC stated that the trip aims to "strengthen the relationship between ROK [Republic of Korea] and UNC and in their efforts to maintain peace and deter aggression" on the Korean Peninsula. The UNC, led by a four-star U.S. general, currently Gen. Paul LaCamera, who also heads the CFC and U.S. Forces Korea, was established in 1950 during the Korean War. Its role transitioned to overseeing the armistice after the operational control over South Korean troops was transferred to the CFC in 1978. Earlier this month, South Korea and the UNC member states conducted their first meeting in Seoul to discuss expanding security cooperation in light of North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats.