USFK Calls Reports of Adding Japan to the UNC False
Here is USFK’s response to South Korean media reports that the U.S. was trying to add Japan as a member of the UNC:
United Nations Command continues to work closely with members of the Republic of Korea government on all aspects of the UNC organizational structure.
News reports alleging Japan being considered as a potential Sending State are flagrantly false. UNC has not offered, nor has Japan requested Sending State designation.
UNC is focused on maintaining peace and security on the peninsula as it has successfully done for more than 69 years to the great benefit of the region. Furthermore, as a top priority, UNC endeavors to support diplomatic efforts to find a lasting peace.
“UNC strives to work transparently and effectively with our participating member states and the Republic of Korea.,” said Gen. Robert B. “Abe” Abrams, UNC commander.
UNC is the home for international commitments which provides a ready-made coalition of longstanding friends and support, including in times of crisis. UNC is committed to a stable transition to a new combined defense system following the transfer of wartime operational control to a ROK four-star led Combined Forces Command. There is no plan to make UNC an operational command. Any suggestions otherwise are patently false.
USFK.mil
Yonhap is reporting that this issue may have been caused by a mistranslation:
Japan is already home to a number of UNC rear bases that would be mobilized in the event of a crisis in Korea.
Speaking of the U.S.’ references to Japan’s role within the UNC in a recently issued annual publication, the Seoul ministry also said there seems to have been a “mistranslation” of the English text into Korean.
In the English version of the 2019 Strategic Digest, the U.S. said the UNC “continues to ensure the support and force flow through Japan that would be necessary in times of crisis.” But the Korean version says it continues to ensure the support and force flow “with” Japan.
Yonhap
I don’t buy the mistranslation causing such a huge false report like this to be published. I think this is probably domestic politics with the Moon administration trying to lift its approval ratings by appearing to stand up to the Americans to stop the Japanese from joining the UNC.
