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Korea Herald
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
UNC turns 75, reaffirms commitment to peace on peninsula
Deputy UNC commander honors Korean War veterans, addresses probe into Seoul's alleged drone flight over Pyongyang PYEONGTAEK, Gyeonggi Province — Canadian Army Lt. Gen. Derek Macaulay had a simple message for the two elderly Korean veterans seated in front of him at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek on Tuesday: "Sunsaengnim, kamsahamnida" — "Thank you, sirs," in Korean. Macaulay, deputy commander of the United Nations Command, expressed his gratitude to retired Col. Kim Hong-su and former Sgt. Hwang Soo-gon, both of whom served in the 1950-53 Korean War. His Korean-language greeting opened the 75th anniversary ceremony of the US-led multinational command, which was established on July 7, 1950, in response to North Korea's invasion of the South. More than 100 people attended the event, including service members from the UNC's member states, foreign ambassadors, South Korean military officials and Patriots and Veterans Affairs Vice Minister Lee Hee-wan. The national flags of South Korea, the UN Command and its member nations lined the field, as ceremonial gunfire echoed across the base. Macaulay presided over the ceremony on behalf of Gen. Xavier Brunson, who is commander of the UNC, US Forces Korea and the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command. Brunson did not attend but issued a written message to mark the day. "Today, we honor the legacy of those who served, and reaffirm our collective commitment to peace, security and the values that bind our nations together," the statement read. Since the signing of the Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953, the UNC has remained responsible for maintaining the ceasefire, monitoring military activity along the Demilitarized Zone and facilitating communication between the two Koreas when necessary. At a press conference after the ceremony, when asked about allegations that the South Korean military had flown a drone over Pyongyang last year under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, Macaulay confirmed that the case was currently under review by the UNC. "That's specific to an investigation," he said. "I'm not able to comment on the specifics, but I can tell you that those investigations are ongoing. They are continually assessed and provided to those that require them." While declining to elaborate, Macaulay noted that the UNC maintains daily military communication with North Korea. "We pass military messages between the two on events or specific issues in which we need to ensure that there's transparency and communication," he said. "That is done through our communication system located in the public security area." The deputy UNC commander also emphasized the evolving role of the multinational command, highlighting the need to respond to emerging security challenges in an increasingly interconnected world. As part of that mission, he stressed continued cooperation with South Korea's armed forces. 'We'll continue to work with the South Korean armed forces every day to ensure the safety and security of the people and the peninsula,' he said. Over the course of the three-year conflict, more than 1.9 million personnel from 22 countries, including South Korea, served under the UNC flag, providing combat, medical and logistical support. The United States recorded over 37,000 fatalities, with 92,000 wounded and 8,000 missing. Other UN forces suffered more than 3,100 deaths, with total casualties exceeding 16,000. Sixteen countries — the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Netherlands, Canada, France, New Zealand, Philippines, Turkey, Thailand, South Africa, Greece, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ethiopia and Colombia — contributed combat troops during the Korean War. Five others — Sweden, India, Denmark, Norway and Italy — provided medical support and humanitarian aid. Of these, Ethiopia, India, Luxembourg and Sweden are no longer active participants in the UNC. In August 2024, Germany joined as the 18th current member. South Korea is also a member of the UNC, serving as the host nation.
Hans India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
UN Command chief says its establishment 75 years ago laid foundation of South Korea's development
The chief of the US-led multinational UN Command (UNC) on Tuesday said that the sacrifice of UN troops during the 1950-53 Korean War helped lay the foundation of South Korea's development, as it marked the 75th anniversary of its establishment. The commemoration ceremony took place at Barker Field in Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, some 60 kilometres south of Seoul, attended by guests including South Korean veterans who served in the Korean War. The ceremony, presided over by UNC Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Derek Macaulay, also featured a march of the flags of the original sending states that contributed to the three-year conflict and a gun salute. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of the UNC who also serves as the chief of the US Forces Korea and the Combined Forces, noted how the establishment of the UNC laid the foundation for South Korea's development, reported Yonhap news agency. "Seventy-five years ago, 22 nations demonstrated unprecedented international solidarity, giving their blood and treasure to secure freedom for millions and lay the foundation for the Republic of Korea's remarkable transformation into a vibrant democracy and economic powerhouse," Brunson said in congratulatory remarks. The UNC was established in 1950 as a multinational command responsible for maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, as well as facilitating cooperation among allied nations. As part of such efforts, the UNC conducts communication with North Korea on a daily basis through the so-called pink phone, a rare military telephone line. "Over the past 75 years, UNC has evolved from a wartime coalition defending Korean freedom into a US-led multinational force dedicated to preserving peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, in a region facing complex security challenges," Macaulay said. More than 1.9 million service members from UNC member states, including the United States, Britain and Australia, provided combat, medical and logistical support during the Korean War, which technically has never ended as a peace treaty was not signed.
