The Korea America Friendship Society hosted a reception Thursday to celebrate the “robust” and “comprehensive” military alliance between Korea and the U.S. and honor charitable activities by American service personnel.

The annual event -- “Korea America Friendship Night” -- gathered high-ranking military officials, armed forces members, diplomats and businessmen from both sides, as some 700 guests convened at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul.

For their voluntary services in local communities, five armed forces members were bestowed the “Korea America Friendship Society Award.” They were U.S. Army Sgt. Jason Herrmann, U.S. Navy intelligence specialist second class Bethany Germann, U.S. Air Force senior airman Felisa Foss, U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Richard Garcia and former United States Forces Korea deputy chief of community relations Han Sung-chong.

“It’s a privilege to serve in Korea at a time when our alliance is stronger than ever,” U.S Deputy Head of Mission Mark Knapper said in a speech. “This is due in large part to the distinguished service of our men and women in uniform serving on the Korean Peninsula.

“They have shouldered the tremendous responsibility of being prepared at a moment’s notice. The select few tonight have gone above and beyond their call of duty, contributing significantly to building stronger ties with their local communities. They spent hundreds of volunteer hours at schools, nursing homes, orphanages, animal sanctuaries and hospitals.”

Quoting an inscription at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, KAFS president Han Chul-soo remarked, “Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.”

Noting numerous young Americans fought and died in the 1950-53 Korean War -- the force of some 327,000 Americans suffered more than 140,000 casualties and losses -- Han expressed Korea’s deepest appreciation for their sacrifices.

“Their blood, sweat and tears became the basis for Korea’s freedom and prosperity. It helped Korea emerge from the war’s ashes to become a great economic power,” he said.

He added the combined forces of both countries have been appraised as “the most unique and perfect” in the world, having fought together in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Newly appointed Gen. Vincent Brooks -- Commander of the United Nations Command, ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command and the United States Forces Korea -- underlined that both nations have “the strongest bonds ever as committed allies.”

“Our bonds are derived from the desire of our dedicated men and women who have all distinguished themselves in their respective fields. The five awardees tonight have chosen to do more to better our communities and bonds,” he added.

Gen. Kim Jin-hyup, deputy commander in chief of the Combined Forces Command, said: “There is a saying, ‘Adversity teaches who your true friends are.’ Over the past 60 years, through thick and thin, Korea and America have progressed into a comprehensive alliance based on shared values of freedom, democracy and market economy.”

“Men and women serving in the USFK have spared no effort to deter North Korean aggression with their ironclad resolve and readiness posture,” said Kim Hong-kyun, Korean special representative for Korean Peninsular Peace and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Thanks to our indefatigable commitment, our alliance has evolved into a broader, stronger partnership in not only deterring Pyongyang,” he stressed, adding that it now covers the economy, science and technology, space exploration, cybersecurity, health care, environment, education, international development, human rights, peacekeeping, postconflict reconstruction and the fight against terrorism.

Emphasizing that “the past approach cannot change the North’s strategic calculation,” the envoy said that the international community was putting pressure on the communist regime with “unprecedentedly strong and comprehensive sanctions measures.”

“We will together continue to strengthen pressure and sanctions until North Korea changes its strategic calculation and demonstrates its sincerity toward denuclearization through action,” the diplomat underscored. “If North Korea dares to conduct another strategic provocation, we will make them realize that it will face even tougher sanctions and isolation. Indeed, this time we will put an end to the vicious cycle of ‘provocation, compensation and further provocation.’”

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)