Germany announces joining South Korea defense group, Seoul sends message of solidarity

On August 2, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that the country has officially joined the US-led United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea.

As part of the UNC, Germany will share the commitment to protecting the South-North Korean border. (Source: AFP)

According to Reuters , with this move, Germany will become a member of the group of countries that monitor the South Korea-North Korea border and pledge to help protect Seoul in case of conflict. Germany is the 18th country to join the UNC.

Speaking at a ceremony at the US military's main headquarters in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, Mr Pistorius said the move was a "clear sign" of Berlin's commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

“We are taking our commitment to a more long-term level,” he stressed. As part of the UNC, Germany will share responsibility for protecting South Korea’s border with North Korea.

In another development, Yonhap news agency reported that a day earlier, South Korean Navy Commander Admiral Yang Yong-mo called on the US to unite to deal with nuclear threats from North Korea.

The call came during an Indo-Pacific maritime security exchange in Honolulu, attended by naval commanders participating in the multinational RIMPAC exercise taking place near Hawaii.

"The Indo-Pacific region today faces diverse crises and challenges... To skillfully overcome these challenges, the most important thing is to have solidarity and close cooperation among the countries gathered here," Admiral Yang Yong-mo stressed.

He also proposed increasing joint logistics exercises to contribute to the achievement of the above goal.

South Korean naval officials also met with senior US military commanders, including Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the Indo-Pacific Command, and Admiral Stephen Kohler, commander of the US Pacific Fleet.

During the meetings, Mr. Yang discussed deterrence efforts against military threats and ways to strengthen cooperation with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force based on a framework document formalizing trilateral security cooperation signed late last month.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ban-dao-trieu-tien-duc-tuyen-bo-gia-nhap-nhom-bao-ve-han-quoc-seoul-gui-thong-diep-doan-ket-281088.html