Ambassador Speeches

The U.S.- ROK Military Relationship

Remarks for the Honor Guard Ceremony Honoring
Ambassador Alexander Vershbow
Knight Field, Yongsan
December 14, 2005, 10:50-10:55 am

Ambassador Vershbow

Thank you General LaPorte and everyone involved in putting this Honor Guard Ceremony together. As I look around, the honor guard and troops look outstanding. It is truly a pleasure for me to be here at the headquarters of the Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea and United Nations Command. Thank you for your warm welcome.

To begin, I would like to pay special tribute to General LaPorte. As you all know, he will be relinquishing command to General Bell on February 1 st of next year after four years as Commander here. The military alliance has undergone significant changes and faced complex challenges in that time period, and he has managed all of the changes and challenges superbly, displaying true leadership. I know the changes the General has put in place have greatly strengthened our alliance with the Republic of Korea. Although I have only had the opportunity to work with General LaPorte for a short period of time, we have had the chance to interact on numerous issues. In fact, my first week in Korea was spent almost entirely on military related issues when Secretary Rumsfeld was here. I have seen the dedication General LaPorte brings to each of his responsibilities, and I thank him for his service. I also would like to recognize Judy LaPorte who has helped make General LaPorte’s mission even more successful.

Leadership like General LaPorte’s does not go unnoticed. As a result of his example, I am sure each of you has been inspired to strive for that level of professionalism that makes our United States Military the world 's premier fighting force. I have had the chance to work closely with other military leaders while serving as Ambassador to NATO, as Ambassador to Russia and as a member of the NSC staff. In each instance, I have been impressed by their dedication, their vision and their talent for getting things done. I know that under the leadership of General LaPorte and General Bell, you have been and will continue to be dedicated to maintaining the security of the Korean Peninsula.

I also want to comment on the wonderful partnership that we at the Embassy share with our military colleagues. Due to the dynamic changes related to the restructuring of our military alliance with the Republic of Korea, defense issues are routinely some of the most significant and complex issues we face at the Embassy. Major General Sargeant, Major General Thiessen, Colonel Beal, Colonel Freund and all of our defense attaches do a wonderful job in managing these issues and advising me and the rest of the Embassy team on the best course of action. I am grateful for their expertise and wise counsel.

The U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Command, established 27 years ago, along with the United Nations Command, has played a vital role in maintaining the security of the Korean Peninsula. I know some of the UNC country Ambassadors and representatives are here today, and I want to acknowledge their countries’ contribution to Republic of Korea’s peace and prosperity. These two institutions along with USFK and, of course, Korea’s own impressive armed forces, have been instrumental in preventing major crises on the Korean Peninsula and creating the basis for North-South reconciliation.

· As we move forward in the coming years, our military alliance with the Republic of Korea will undergo some of the most significant changes it has seen since the close of the Korean War.

· We will relocate several military bases, including Yongsan Garrison, away from population centers, and shift more responsibility to the ROK’s armed forces.

· We will spend 11 billion dollars to ensure our forces in the region are state-of-the-art and that our alliance is second-to-none.

· We will continue to realign our troops worldwide to ensure the most efficient use of our resources, and that will result in changes here in Korea as well.

· And we will continue to work closely with the Republic of Korea and other allies to ensure that the opportunity to live in a democratic country spreads across the globe. As those of you who have served in Iraq already know, the Republic of Korea has the third largest number of troops in the coalition dedicated to ensuring that the people of Iraq someday enjoy the freedoms that the people of Korea do now.

Each of these objectives is ambitious. But each can be accomplished with the right leadership and planning. I look forward to facing these challenges with our military colleagues.

We can all be proud of what the alliance has accomplished. The Republic of Korea is one of the greatest success stories of the twentieth century. Korea has a robust military capable of defending itself from aggression. It is a thriving democracy. It is the world’s eleventh largest economy and the seventh-largest trading partner for the U.S. It has played a vital role in helping other emerging democracies develop, including Korea’s current role in helping the people of Afghanistan and Iraq.

We have accomplished a great deal, but there is still much to be done. I know that the men and women of the United States Military are ready to confront the challenges of the future. And so, in conclusion, I want to thank you. There is a reason why the Republic of Korea is a free nation and this alliance is strong. It is because soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines like you are willing to defend freedom on the Korean Peninsula. You are better prepared and more capable than ever before, and I know that you will continue to press forward as we undertake the challenges of modernizing for the future. I want you to know that your contributions do not go unnoticed, and your vigilance is welcomed, as is your close cooperation with those of us in the diplomatic service.

Thank you for honoring me today. I look forward to working with you in the future.