President Moon Jae-in accompanied U.S. President Donald Trump, in Korea on a state visit, in a tour of United States Army Garrison Humphreys, the symbol of the ROK-U.S. alliance, this afternoon. They joined Korean and American troops for lunch and offered them encouragement.

President Moon’s trip to Camp Humphreys today was arranged to check on the progress of the relocation of U.S. military installations in Korea and reaffirm the robust ROK-U.S. alliance and ironclad combined defense posture. Under the relocation project, construction has been underway to turn Camp Humphreys into the largest overseas American military post, equipped with the finest facilities in the world.

President Moon became the first Korean President to visit Camp Humphreys after the relocation of the headquarters of the Eighth U.S. Army was completed in July this year. His going to the Camp with President Trump today highlighted the importance of the ROK-U.S. alliance that has continued to evolve and strengthen on multiple fronts. 

Their visit also serves to reconfirm the commitment of the United States to the defense of Korea against North Korean nuclear and missile threats and provides a chance to ascertain the Korean Government’s contributions to improving the conditions for stationing U.S. Forces Korea in the country.

Upon his arrival, President Moon was briefed on the overall status of Camp Humphreys from Eighth U.S. Army Commanding General Thomas S. Vandal. During the briefing, President Moon said that the U.S. installation in Pyeongtaek plays a pivotal role in the ROK-U.S. combined defense capabilities at a time when such capabilities are indispensable for responding to North Korean nuclear and missile provocations. 

Following his briefing, the Commanding General said this was a historic day, marked by an unprecedented joint visit by the Presidents of the Republic of Korea and the United States. He described the Pyeongtaek facility as an emblem of the everlasting commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance. Also dubbing it as the crown jewel, he expressed his appreciation to the Korean Government and the Korean people for shouldering 92 percent of the construction cost, which totals   US$10.7 billion. 

General Vandal added that President Trump would be briefed to that effect from Commander of the Combined Forces Command Vincent K. Brooks during their aerial tour. He pledged he would help President Trump better understand the contributions the Korean people have been making to the alliance.   

After the lunch, President Moon wrapped up the visit by saying he wanted to offer special encouragement and express his gratitude to the Korean and American soldiers, especially to the U.S. military personnel, there. The President said that people know who their genuine friends are in times of need and that those were true friends who shed their blood together when the Republic of Korea was going through hard times. He added that such friends were the cornerstone and future of the Korea-U.S. alliance and that all should work together to achieve peace and prosperity not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in Northeast Asia. 

Among those present during the visit were Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo; Cheong Wa Dae Director of National Security Chung Eui-yong; First Deputy Director of National Security Lee Sang-chul; Deputy Commander of the Combined Forces Command Kim Byung-joo; Presidential Spokesperson Park soo-hyun. Those from the American side included Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, National Security Advisor Herbert Raymond McMaster; Commander of the Combined Forces Command Vincent K. Brooks; and Commanding General of the Eighth U.S. Army Thomas S. Vandal.