The 2nd "Republic of Korea - United Nations Command Member States (ROK-UNCMS) Defense Ministerial Meeting" was held in Seoul on September 10, 2024. The meeting was co-chaired by Kim Yong Hyun, the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Bill Blair, the Minister of National Defense of Canada. Participants included defense ministers and representatives from the United Nations Command (UNC) and the 17 UNC Member States (Australia, Belgium, Colombia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Thailand, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States).
Defense ministers and representatives welcomed the admission of Germany as the 18th UNC Member State, and assured that the inclusion of Germany will contribute to the strength of UNC to respond to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) increasing and destabilizing actions.
The defense ministers and representatives discussed measures to strengthen cooperation among the ROK, UNC and its Member States. The defense ministers and representatives reaffirmed that UNC, established by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 84 on July 7th 1950, has successfully contributed to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula for over 70 years and will continue to carry out its duties and missions in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the 1953 Armistice Agreement.
Additionally, the defense ministers and representatives emphasized that UNC successfully integrated and commanded the combat and support forces voluntarily sent by UNC Member States during the Korean War, repelling the DPRK's armed aggression and safeguarding the peace of the ROK.
The UNC Member States reaffirmed that the spirit and commitments of the 1953 Armistice Agreement continues to be necessary for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula today. In particular, the defense ministers and representatives acknowledged the roles of UNC, UNC Member States, and the ROK as the host nation in managing, implementing, respecting, and enforcing the Armistice Agreement. They concurred that the Armistice Agreement is an effective mechanism for maintaining the cessation of hostilities and ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Also, the defense ministers and representatives discussed ongoing security challenges. The participants strongly condemned the DPRK's illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programs which violate multiple United Nations resolutions, and seriously undermine international non-proliferation regimes. They also stressed the importance of the international community's role in ensuring the full implementation of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
In particular, the defense ministers and representatives expressed serious concern over military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK, highlighted by the signing of the "Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership", including weapons transactions and technological cooperation which constitute a violation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. They urged Russia and the DPRK to immediately cease all such activities and abide by these resolutions.
The UNC Member States declared that they would remain united upon the renewal of hostilities or armed attack on the Korean Peninsula challenging the principles of the United Nations Charter and the security of the ROK. They also emphasized the necessity of dialogue as the path to an enduring peace on the Korean Peninsula.
The defense ministers and representatives agreed to increase information sharing and cooperation between the ROK, UNC, Combined Forces Command (CFC), and UNC Member States and to reinforce combined exercises and training in response to current security threats on the basis of the capacities and availability of the Member States. They also agreed to explore ways to further strengthen UNC as an enduring multilateral cooperation platform to maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula.
The defense ministers and representatives paid tribute to the noble sacrifices of the UN forces who fought "Under One Flag" to defend the ROK from DPRK aggression and during the Korean War, and confirmed that UNC has made substantial contributions to international peace and security through continued efforts to deter war on the Korean Peninsula.
The defense ministers and representatives expressed their gratitude to the leadership of Minister Kim and Blair in successfully hosting the 2nd ROK-UNCMS Defense Ministerial Meeting.
