The new head of the U.S. Pacific Command reaffirmed Wednesday stern responses to any provocations by the "dangerous and unpredictable" North Korea based upon the steadfast alliance with South Korea.
Adm. Harry Harris, chief of the U.S. Pacific Command, made the pledge during his visit to the South Korean Navy's 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, some 70 kilometers south of Seoul, where he paid tribute to sailors killed in the North's deadly attack on the South Korean warship Cheonan.
On March 26, 2010, the 1,200-ton naval corvette sank in the Yellow Sea, killing 46 South Koreans. An international investigation found that Pyongyang had torpedoed the ship, though the belligerent regime has denied responsibility. The hull of the vessel is on display at the fleet's headquarters.
"I believe North Korea is dangerous, it's unpredictable, and it's led by the leader (Kim Jong-un) who is arrogant. I consider North Korea a rogue nation discredited by the entire world," Harris said, pointing out that Pyongyang has expressed its "willingness to use military provocations to achieve its national goals."
In a saber-rattling move against South Korea and the U.S., the North has continued to build up its asymmetric capabilities and launch provocative actions. Last month alone, the North carried out live-fire drills twice near the Northern Limit Line, the de facto inter-Korean maritime border in the Yellow Sea.
"So I have to tell you that the U.S. remains vigil in the face of North Korea's continued provocations and steadfast in our alliance's commitment to the ROK. It is no accident that the first country that I visited as the Pacific Command commander in the bilateral sense was Korea," he added, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.
He assumed the command position of the U.S. Pacific Command in May 2015.
Stressing solid bilateral relations and friendship between Seoul and Washington, Harris also said the strong alliance will "allow us together to overcome provocations by North Korea."
Prior to the commemoration, he met with the JCS' chairman, Amd. Choi Yun-hee, and discussed a wide range of issues of mutual concern.
"After being debriefed on the recent movements of the North Korean military, which has intentionally heightened tensions along the western sea border, the two sides once again confirmed instant, stern and strong responses based upon their solid combined defense posture," according to the JCS.
Later in the day, Harris sat down for talks with Defense Minister Han Min-koo on the security situation on the peninsula. In the opening remarks, the commander underlined the Seoul-Washington alliance as being "of the fundamental importance to both countries for stability and peace for the entire Asia-Pacific region."
After meeting with the U.S. service personnel stationed here, he is scheduled to visit Japan on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Harris paid a courtesy call on President Park Geun-hye upon his arrival in Seoul, Cheong Wa Dae said.
The Park-Harris meeting was attended by U.S. Ambassador Mark Lippert; Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, commander of U.S. Forces Korea; and Lt. Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, commander of the 7th U.S. Air Force, according to the presidential office.
It marked the first time that Park has had a meeting with a commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, although Adm. Samuel Locklear III, the predecessor of Harris, attended Park's meeting with then Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in 2013.
As one of six unified combatant commands of the U.S. armed forces headquartered in Hawaii, the U.S. Pacific Command covers the areas stretching from the waters off its west coast to the western border of India, according to its website. Some 360,000 military and civilian personnel are assigned for missions to enhance stability in the Asia-Pacific region. (Yonhap)
