Senior diplomats, military officials reaffirm Seoul-Washington alliance amid heightened geopolitical woes

Senior diplomats and military officials from South Korea and the United States reaffirmed the strength of their alliance and commitment to deterrence Wednesday amid heightened geopolitical uncertainties triggered by close military ties between Russia and North Korea. "The international rules based on order is under attack by a handful of nations, most of which are located very close to where we sit," said Gen. John Weidner, the chief of staff at the U.S.-led U.N. Command and the U.S. Forces Korea in a congratulatory speech given at the Korea-America Friendship Night. The event was hosted by the Korea-America Friendship Society (KAFS), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the alliance, in Seoul. Weidner's remarks come amid heightened tensions surrounding the Korean Peninsula following the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un earlier this month. "The security of the Republic of Korea (ROK) is our security," he said, referring to South Korea's forma l name. "We will prevail." Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun also underscored the importance of the bilateral alliance for maintaining peace. "The South Korea-U.S. alliance is global. It is not confined to the Korean Peninsula or Northeast Asia but extends into the Indo-Pacific and beyond," Kang said. Kang highlighted the growing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea and pledged to maintain the South Korea-U.S. alliance and readiness posture in every way possible. Park Jung-soo, acting president of the KAFS, also emphasized the importance of South Korea-U.S. cooperation, stating that an ironclad alliance will play a pivotal role. "The ROK-U.S. alliance plays an increasingly vital role as a cornerstone for peace and stability," he said. Congratulating the KAFS on its 33rd anniversary, Joy Sakurai, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, commended South Korea's transformation into a democracy and its economic development. "The miracle on the Han River is now paving the way for a third miracle, where other countries follow the path of success," Sakurai said, adding that Seoul has developed into a global pivotal state. Source: Yonhap News Agency