By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii on July 9. This is the first time a Korean president has visited the command, with former President Kim Young-sam having visited the Pacific Command in 1995.

 
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has the largest area of responsibility (approximately 100 million square miles, or 52 percent of the Earth's total area) among the six U.S. unified combatant commands (Northern, Southern, Indo-Pacific, European, Central, and African) and plays a critical role in the security of the Korean Peninsula, including commanding the U.S. Forces in Korea.

Upon his arrival at the Command, the President posed for a photo in front of the command emblem with key U.S. and South Korean officials.

The President then traveled to the commander's office to present Commander Paparo with the Medal of Honor Uniformed Service Medal. The medal was awarded by the ROK government in recognition of Paparo's contributions to strengthening the defense posture of the alliance during his previous three years as Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The President then discussed with Paparo about key security issues on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. The President emphasized that North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile capabilities and ongoing provocations are undermining the security of the Korean Peninsula and the region, and that a robust joint defense posture is more important than ever, and that the role of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is critical.

The President then moved to the Operations Center to hear about the current status of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command operations and continue the conversation. During the meeting, the President expressed his appreciation for the Command’s efforts to maintain the unified defense posture of the Korean Peninsula and emphasized the need for closer coordination between the U.S. and South Korean military authorities.

Finally, the President spoke to more than 200 soldiers in the lobby, where he emphasized that the first visit by a sitting president to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in 29 years is intended to further strengthen the U.S.-ROK alliance and joint defense posture amidst the tense security situation on the Korean Peninsula. 

The President also expressed his great trust and gratitude to the soldiers of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, saying that their dedicated efforts are the true strength of the U.S.-ROK alliance and international solidarity.

From the U.S. side, the ceremony was attended by U.S. Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, General Samuel Paparo, U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg, U.S. Army Forces in Korea Commander, General Paul LaCamera.

From the ROK side, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul, National Security Adviser Jang Ho-jin, Deputy Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kang Ho-pil, Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong.