외교부

Congratulatory Remarks by H.E. Kang Insun

Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs

Reception for the 2024 Korea America Friendship Night

(June Festival)

June 26th 2024, The Westin Josun Seoul

Chairman Sohn Kyung Shik,

Acting President Park Jung Su,

Deputy Chief of Mission Joy Sakurai,

Major General John Weidner,

Service Members of the USFK,

Members of US Embassy-Seoul,

Members of the Korea America Friendship Society,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is truly an honor and privilege to join all of you here today.

I would like to first thank the Korea America Friendship Society for hosting this very meaningful event.

Let me also extend my warmest greetings and appreciation to all the USFK and US Embassy Members who are here this evening.

Your tireless and dedicated service is what makes our Alliance so strong and effective.

Today is even more special as we also celebrate the Korea America Friendship Society’s 33rd birthday.

Since its foundation in 1991, the Society has played an instrumental role in further strengthening our two countries’ friendship.

Congratulations for all your great work, and I look forward to an even more successful future of the Society.

I would also like to take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt congratulations to those who received the Korea America Friendship Society Award: Lieutenant Colonel Oluf Day, Captain Austin Stamper, Sergeant First Class Gisela Brown-Schilling, Sergeant First Class Adrian Sewell, Petty Officer First Class Kevin Surio, Technical Sergeant Jacob Humphreys, Sergeant Brian Armenta, and Chief Warrant Officer Hae Yul Jung.

Thank you for your wonderful service.

Distinguished Guests,

Yesterday marked the 74th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.

With North Korea’s sudden invasion in the early morning of June 25, 1950, South Korea was turned into a battlefield overnight.

Young people from the United States and other nations left their homes to fight side by side for a country they didn’t know and people they had never met.

During the three years of the war, the U.S. Armed Forces suffered approximately one hundred and thirty thousand (130,000) casualties, including around thirty-seven thousand (37,000) killed in action.

And to this day, approximately seven thousand five hundred (7,500) American soldiers have yet to be returned to their families.

Never must we forget the noble sacrifices of the heroes who fought for freedom and peace.

The Korean people are forever grateful.

The ROK-U.S. Alliance was forged in their blood.

And from their sacrifice, Korea was able to rise above the ashes of war to become a vibrant democracy, a thriving economy, and a cultural powerhouse.

We honor the men and women of the USFK and US Embassy-Seoul, as well as their families.

Their strong dedication is a tribute to the deep sacrifice and service of the Korean War veterans.

And thanks to their devotion and commitment, our Alliance has surely evolved into a ‘Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance.’

It is ‘Global’ because our collaboration is no longer confined to the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, but spans the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

It is ‘Comprehensive’ because our partnership has grown from one that focused merely on military and security to one that now covers economic security, cutting-edge science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

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

Last year, our countries celebrated the 70th anniversary of the ROK-US Alliance.

The highlight was President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit in April.

During that visit, our Leaders announced the historic Washington Declaration, significantly enhancing the ROK-US extended deterrence cooperation.

In face of North Korea’s enhanced nuclear and missile threats, the Alliance will continue to further strengthen its deterrence posture and capabilities in all aspects.

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Harry Truman, the 33rd President of the United States who was in office at the outbreak of the Korean War, once said, “The best way to meet the threat of aggression is for peace-loving nations to act together.”

I believe these words inspired our two countries to work side-by-side in preserving peace and freedom on the Korean Peninsula and in the region for the past 70 years despite the various challenges we faced.

I also believe these words clearly illustrate the direction we should take for the years to come.

Let us keep up the good fight and continue to stand strong as the anchor of peace and stability in the region.

Thank you.