Remarks Korea America Friendship Night
( Grand Hyatt, Seoul Korea June 21, 2012)
LTG John D. Johnson
CG, 8th US Army
General and Mrs. Han, Chul Soo (KAF’s President); Dr. and Mrs. Park, Keun (KAF’s Honorary President); Hon and Mrs. Kwon, Young Hae (Former Minister, MND), Hon Kim, Sung Han (MOFAT), Mr. Brent D. Byers, (Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy); Distinguished members of the Korea – America Friendship Society; Fellow General and Flag Officers; USFK Service Members & Honored Guests;
I am honored to be here with you on behalf of GEN Thurman, Commander, UNC/CFC/USFK, and thank you for inviting me and all the U.S. Forces Korea Service-members, Civilians, and Families to be a part of this night where we strengthen the alliance through recognition and celebration.
For 21 years the Korea America Friendship Society has brought citizens of both our nations together to encourage friendship and understanding, strengthening the ROK – U.S. Alliance.
KAFS hosts concerts, seminars on Korean-American relations, social events like the KAFS Christmas Party, and Invites guest speakers to discuss how we can improve ROK-U.S. relations. I cannot stress enough the importance of these events as they help make the ROK-U.S. alliance the strongest in the world.
As a tribute to the great KAFS programs and their leadership under both General Han and Dr. Park before him, KAFS was selected as the USFK organizational Good Neighbor Award winner in 2006, one of only a few organizations to win this important award.
This year marks the 62nd Anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War. During these past 60 years, the ROK-U.S. Alliance has thrived and been the cornerstone of stability in Northeast Asia.
The alliance remains ready to deter North Korean aggression and defeat it whenever and wherever it presents itself.
During these uncertain times, the mutual understanding and cooperation between the ROK and U.S. peoples and our governments is as important as ever.
The relationship between the ROK and U.S. has expanded well past the security alliance which brought us together. Today, our relationship extends to shared economic, diplomatic, and cultural interests. It is the natural extension of mature democracies, peace-loving people with shared values.
Tonight we have the distinct pleasure of recognizing some outstanding community members who have embodied both the values of the Korean – American Friendship Society and our two nations.
I want to say thank you to the 5 outstanding Service-members, DoD Civilians, and all of those you lead and represent who are being recognized here tonight.
These 5 awardees and their organizations have worked hard to improve the lives of their Korean neighbors, representing the best of America and standing as symbols of the outstanding community members we all strive to be.
To the awardees; I am proud of you and I am honored to be here with you. It is your spirit of cooperation and friendship that help make the Republic of Korea – U.S. Alliance stronger every day.
I would again like to thank the Korea – America Friendship Society for inviting us here tonight. Your friendship and kindness fills the letters and phone calls of soldiers to their families back home. Your great organization has made thousands of U.S. Soldiers, civilians, and family members excited about their service in this alliance. They leave Korea extolling the warmth and generosity of the Korean people…our friends and allies. From all of us, thank you for all you do for our alliance.
Kamsa Hamnida; Katchi Kapshida!
Remarks Korea America Friendship Night
( Grand Hyatt, Seoul Korea June 21, 2012)
LTG John D. Johnson
CG, 8th US Army
General and Mrs. Han, Chul Soo (KAF’s President); Dr. and Mrs. Park, Keun (KAF’s Honorary President); Hon and Mrs. Kwon, Young Hae (Former Minister, MND), Hon Kim, Sung Han (MOFAT), Mr. Brent D. Byers, (Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy); Distinguished members of the Korea – America Friendship Society; Fellow General and Flag Officers; USFK Service Members & Honored Guests;
I am honored to be here with you on behalf of GEN Thurman, Commander, UNC/CFC/USFK, and thank you for inviting me and all the U.S. Forces Korea Service-members, Civilians, and Families to be a part of this night where we strengthen the alliance through recognition and celebration.
For 21 years the Korea America Friendship Society has brought citizens of both our nations together to encourage friendship and understanding, strengthening the ROK – U.S. Alliance.
KAFS hosts concerts, seminars on Korean-American relations, social events like the KAFS Christmas Party, and Invites guest speakers to discuss how we can improve ROK-U.S. relations. I cannot stress enough the importance of these events as they help make the ROK-U.S. alliance the strongest in the world.
As a tribute to the great KAFS programs and their leadership under both General Han and Dr. Park before him, KAFS was selected as the USFK organizational Good Neighbor Award winner in 2006, one of only a few organizations to win this important award.
This year marks the 62nd Anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War. During these past 60 years, the ROK-U.S. Alliance has thrived and been the cornerstone of stability in Northeast Asia.
The alliance remains ready to deter North Korean aggression and defeat it whenever and wherever it presents itself.
During these uncertain times, the mutual understanding and cooperation between the ROK and U.S. peoples and our governments is as important as ever.
The relationship between the ROK and U.S. has expanded well past the security alliance which brought us together. Today, our relationship extends to shared economic, diplomatic, and cultural interests. It is the natural extension of mature democracies, peace-loving people with shared values.
Tonight we have the distinct pleasure of recognizing some outstanding community members who have embodied both the values of the Korean – American Friendship Society and our two nations.
I want to say thank you to the 5 outstanding Service-members, DoD Civilians, and all of those you lead and represent who are being recognized here tonight.
These 5 awardees and their organizations have worked hard to improve the lives of their Korean neighbors, representing the best of America and standing as symbols of the outstanding community members we all strive to be.
To the awardees; I am proud of you and I am honored to be here with you. It is your spirit of cooperation and friendship that help make the Republic of Korea – U.S. Alliance stronger every day.
I would again like to thank the Korea – America Friendship Society for inviting us here tonight. Your friendship and kindness fills the letters and phone calls of soldiers to their families back home. Your great organization has made thousands of U.S. Soldiers, civilians, and family members excited about their service in this alliance. They leave Korea extolling the warmth and generosity of the Korean people…our friends and allies. From all of us, thank you for all you do for our alliance.
Kamsa Hamnida; Katchi Kapshida!