Congratulatory Remarks
by
H.E. Cho Tae-yul,
Vice Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea
at the 2014 Korea America Friendship Night

June 26, 2014
Hyatt Hotel

President Han Chul Soo,
General Bernard Champoux,
Service members of the USFK and their families,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you very much indeed for inviting me to this June Festival, an annual event to renew our long friendship and to commend the dedication of USFK service members to strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance. I am delighted to be in your company at this special occasion tonight.

The Korea America Friendship Society (KAFS) was established in 1991, a historical year that marked the end of the Cold War ushering in a new era. Born at the time of such a transformative change in history, the KAFS has promoted the values and spirit of the Korea-U.S. alliance and played an important role as a bridge between our two peoples over the past two decades. It is indeed a living witness of how Korea-U.S. relations, anchored in a strong alliance, have grown to the height that we witness today, a partnership that has never been better before.

Distinguished Guests,

Yesterday was the 64th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. Even before the wounds of the Second World War were healed, our allies including the U.S. sent two million young soldiers to Korea to safeguard our freedom and peace.

During the war, General MacArthur said, "I will defend Korea as I would my own country - just as I would California.” And 1.8 million U.S. soldiers shed their blood to protect Korea, an unknown country with no personal association at all. As such, the Korea-U.S. alliance was born out of blood of these soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the gunfire of war.

The Korean War was the first war in which the free world fought against communism. It was also the first war in which the UN forces took a role and were heavily engaged. The free world eventually won the war, and rising above the ashes of war and poverty, Korea has developed into a dynamic democracy as it stands today.

Last year, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of our alliance and, in commemoration of this, Joint Declaration was announced during President Park Geun-hye's visit to the U.S. in May. Through this Declaration, our two leaders presented a new vision for our alliance for the next 60 years building on the past six decades of our close partnership. The Korea-U.S. alliance, forged from a military alliance in the Cold War, has now evolved into a comprehensive strategic alliance and a global partnership that jointly responds to the challenges against humanity.

It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the role of the U.S. Eighth Army, the core of the USFK, in the evolution of our alliance. At the outset of the Korean War, Lieutenant General Walton Walker, the then Commander of the U.S. Eighth Army, declared that the U.S. Eighth Army will not leave Korea until the aggressors were driven out. They have not only lived up to this promise, but also stood by Korea as a strong supporter in its tireless efforts for the post-war reconstruction and rapid economic development thereafter. We will never forget their self-sacrificing dedication.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

During President Obama's visit to Korea last April, I noticed a new face of our alliance, an alliance sharing the grief and sorrow. Prior to the summit meeting with President Park, President Obama proposed a moment of silence to honor the victims of the Sewol ferry incident. He also offered the flag that was flying over the White House on the very day the ferry capsized as well as a magnolia tree, a symbol of perseverance. This gesture to console the hearts of Koreans mourning in sorrow for their beloved ones was one of the most heartwarming events in the sixtyone-year-old history of our alliance.

As I mentioned earlier, the Korea America Friendship Society (KAFS) has contributed to building trust and solidarity between our two peoples through many friendly and goodwill events. U.S. soldiers donating toys and teaching English to the underprivileged in the Korean society captured the hearts of the Korean people. They are true diplomats doing wonderful public diplomacy for the U.S. as well. As I am sure we all agree, the alliance between Korea and the U.S. has undergone many challenges and tests over the past six decades, but the roots of our alliance have grown deeper and stronger thanks to such efforts by KAFS and U.S. soldiers stationed in Korea.

Today five Americans will receive the Korea America Friendship Society Awards. I offer my deep respect and warm congratulations to all of them – U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant James W. Choi, U.S. Air force Staff Sergeant Casey Platinum, U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Samuel Armah, U.S. Marine Major Erick Min and U.S. Department of Defense Army Civilian Ray Council. Helen Keller once said, "Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light." Many Koreans will hold dear their friendships with you for helping them in times of difficulty.

Distinguished Guests,

Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the division of the Korean Peninsula. And yet mistrust, tension and conflict run high between the two Koreas. I am confident that Korea and the U.S. will write together the history of moving towards a free and unified Korea. And historians in some distant future will write that ‘the Korea-U.S. alliance, forged in the Cold War, has removed the last remaining legacy of the Cold War’.

Thank you very much. /End/