The Korea America Friendship Society held a reception Thursday commemorating the contribution of U.S. Armed Forces personnel in Korea and growing bilateral ties built on the foundation of the military alliance.

The event is hosted each June to commemorate the sacrifices made by American veterans and troops in protecting South Korea from communist forces. Korea celebrates the 65th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War this year.

Some 600 military servicepersons, diplomats, university presidents, business leaders and journalists participated in the event at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on Thursday.

Since being established in 1991, the society has served as a bridge between the two countries through commemorative and cultural events.

U.S. Army Sgt. Moses Soto, Naval Petty Officer 2nd Class John. P. Tagoca, Air Force Sgt. Daniel Young Kim, Marine Corps Sgt. Peter M. Rajchel and late Sgt. Maj. Jerome Lee Pionk received awards for their humanitarian services in Korea. 

“The awardees dedicated countless hours to volunteer in Korean communities and represent the best America has to offer. We are very proud of their selfless contributions,” 8th Army Lt. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux said in a speech. 

Korea National Diplomatic Academy Chancellor Yun Duk-min said in a speech, “The ROK-U.S. alliance was forged in blood during the Korean War, which was a tragic fratricidal conflict. Although the war was devastating, our countries built a rock-solid alliance from the blood we spilled on the battlefield together.”

He added that the alliance had preserved peace and security on the Korean Peninsula through strong deterrence, while serving as a foundation for economic prosperity with the conclusion of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement.

The cooperation between the U.S. and Korea has expanded and extended into a global partnership for international development, human rights, pandemic prevention and fight against terrorism, Yun said.

“Koreans will always honor and appreciate the sacrifice made by U.S. Armed Forces personnel who shed blood to defend a country they never knew and people they never met.”

Sohn Kyung-shik, the chairman of the Korea America Friendship Society, said the Korea-U.S. alliance plays a pivotal role in countering hostile acts of North Korea and maintaining peace in Northeast Asia.

Ju Chul-ki, senior presidential secretary for foreign affairs and national security, said the bilateral partnership has grown stronger through fighting together in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq since signing the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty in 1953.

“Our alliance will continue to buttress the security on the peninsula and provide a bedrock for the peaceful unification to come,” Ju said.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)