[Unofficial Translation] 

Servicemembers of the United States Indo-Pacific Command,

It is a pleasure to meet you all.

I am delighted to visit USINDOPACOM, the largest and oldest unified combatant command in the United States, responsible for a vast area that covers more than half of the Earth’s surface.

I am grateful to USINDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo and commanders of its subordinate component commands, including the U.S. Army Pacific, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pacific Air Forces and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, as well as their troops for the hospitality extended to me.

A short while ago, I received an operational status briefing and was clearly reminded once again of how crucial USINDOPACOM’s role is in safeguarding peace and stability in the region.

In particular, I reaffirmed that USINDOPACOM plays a pivotal role in maintaining the combined defense posture on the Korean Peninsula during both wartime and peacetime.

USINDOPACOM serves as the backbone of the ROK-U.S. alliance, supporting the ROK-U.S. combined defense posture and playing a central role in deploying augmented U.S. forces in the event of any contingency on the Peninsula.

My visit to USINDOPACOM today is the first by a sitting Korean president in 29 years.

This visit aims to solidify the ironclad ROK-U.S. alliance and our combined defense posture in the face of the grave international circumstances and security situation on the Korean Peninsula.

The North Korean regime has been advancing its nuclear and missile capabilities and codified the preemptive use of nuclear weapons, all the while disregarding the plight of its people.

Worse still, North Korea is posing a threat to peace not only on the Korean Peninsula but worldwide through its illicit arms dealings with Russia.

Last month, the North signed the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia to strengthen their military and economic cooperation, further deepening the international community’s concerns.

In order to safeguard our freedom, democracy and economic prosperity against these reckless forces, solidarity among nations with shared values is a must along with overwhelming power.

Through the Camp David summit in August last year, the Republic of Korea, the United States and Japan ushered in a new era of trilateral cooperation.

In June this year, Freedom Edge – the first multi-domain military exercise between the three countries – was successfully conducted in accordance with the Spirit of Camp David.

I boarded the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt when it was in Korea for the exercise and saw with my own eyes the United States’ unwavering defense commitments and posture.

Moreover, this year’s RIMPAC is being conducted right now in the waters off Hawaii to strengthen operational capabilities and interoperability among the Republic of Korea, the United States and partner countries while mobilizing the destroyer ROKS Yulgok Yi I and aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

Strong capabilities that are based on firm commitments and partnerships are the driving force that steadfastly protects the rules-based order in the region.

And right at the foundation is USINDOPACOM.

The dedication and efforts of USINDOPACOM’s servicemembers are the genuine force that drives the strong ROK-U.S. alliance and cooperation among the Republic of Korea, the United States and Japan as well as solidarity in the international community.

I express my gratitude once more to USINDOPACOM and its subordinate component commands for their contributions to reinforcing the ROK-U.S. alliance and combined defense posture and maintaining peace in the region. I have absolute trust in all of you servicemembers.

I understand that Admiral Paparo’s command directive is to “Prevail!” in order to secure an overwhelming victory. I am certain that USINDOPACOM will always serve as a command that dominates the battlefield and secures victory.

Thank you.