United Nations Command came into existence on July 7, 1950, when the United Nations Security Council adopted resolutions calling for United Nations Member States to send forces to fight under one flag in defense of the ROK under an American commander. United Nations Command’s contributions were essential to halting DPRK aggression, reclaiming ROK sovereign territory, and sending a clear message to communist regimes that the rules-based international order would stand against aggression. Since signing the armistice in 1953, UNC embodies the international commitment to enforcing the armistice in support of Korean security and prosperity.
On July 1, 1957, United States Forces Korea was established as the senior command for American military forces on the peninsula. As the second of the Tri-Commands, USFK embodies the United States iron-clad commitment to the ROK-US Mutual Defense Treaty and serves as the nexus for ROK-US military coordination in defense of the homelands. Since 1957, USFK’s presence on the Asian continent clearly signals to adversaries that United States forces remain disciplined, physically fit, and ready to fight tonight.
The ROK-US alliance continued to evolve when, on November 7, 1978, the Combined Forces Command was established. CFC is the centerpiece of the warfighting command in Korea. As the integrated headquarters for ROK-US forces, CFC is flanked by support from United Nations Command Member States who commit their blood and treasure to the defense of the Republic of Korea, and the United States joint and interagency force that flows through USFK. Just as in 1950, would-be aggressors on the Korean Peninsula should heed the words: Katchi Kapshida.
Today, the UNC-CFC-USFK Tri-Command represents a global commitment to peace on the Korean Peninsula. The Tri-Command forward postures integrated formations and interoperable forces to deter DPRK aggression and incentivize a peaceful path to resolve the decades old conflict that exists today in Armistice. The Korean people and neighboring regional populations deserve an enduring peace that respects human rights, is free from military coercion, and removes the shadow of nuclear terror from the region. Tri-Command efforts promote regional stability by demonstrating unmatched military readiness to the DPRK regime. Combined-joint-interagency readiness establishes a credible notion that DPRK aggression is far more costly than diplomacy. Furthermore, the continued commitments by the international community through UNC are representative of Korea’s significance to stability, peace, and prosperity in the region and the world.