President Yoon Suk Yeol on July 9 speaks during his visit to Camp Smith, the headquarters of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Yonhap News)

By Yoon Sojung

President Yoon Suk Yeol has stressed the importance of strong power and solidarity among value-sharing countries to protect freedom, democracy and economic prosperity.

Before heading to Washington to attend this year's North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, he arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, on July 9 to visit Camp Smith, the headquarters of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, whose head, Admiral Samuel Paparo, gave the president a briefing.

"The Command is a pillar supporting the joint defense stance of the Republic of Korea (ROK)-U.S. alliance and plays a central role in the deployment of American reinforcements in case of a contingency on the Korean Peninsula," President Yoon said in a meeting with soldiers.

"I confirmed that the Command plays a pivotal role in maintaining the joint defense posture on the Korean Peninsula."

He said recent military cooperation between North Korea and Russia including an illegal weapons deal threatens peace in the world as well as on the peninsula, while worsening the concern of the international community. 

"To protect our freedom, democracy and economic prosperity from such reckless forces, a strong force and solidarity among value-sharing countries are essential," he added.

President Yoon also mentioned the ongoing military drill Rim of the Pacific Exercise, which involves Korea's 7,600-ton Aegis destroyer Yulgok Yi I and the American aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson as well as the participation of the U.S. and other allies.

"Strong capabilities backed by firm commitment and cooperation are the driving force that firmly protects the rule-based regional order," he said. "The foundation of this is the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command."

"The devotion and efforts of the Command's soldiers are the true force leading the strong ROK-U.S. alliance, Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation and solidarity of the international community."

Also awarding Admiral Paparo the Order of National Security Merit, Tongil Medal, President Yoon was the first Korean head of state in 29 years to visit the command, formerly called the Pacific Command, since Kim Young-sam did so in 1995.

The command is in charge of the largest area among the six unified combatant commands --- Northern, Southern, Indo-Pacific, Europe, Central and Africa. It plays a crucial role in the security of the peninsula as the head of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command.

arete@korea.kr