Tag: UNC

The Joong Ang Ilbo has an article that takes an indepth look at the UNC’s rear bases in Japan and what their functions are:

The recent visit to the United Nations Command (UNC) rear base in Japan represents a continuation of the Korea Peace Foundation’s ongoing quest for peace in Northeast Asia since its establishment in 2015.   
  
Established in 1950 in the aftermath of the 1950-1953 Korean War, the UNC has been instrumental in preventing further conflict and upholding peace on the peninsula by maintaining the armistice and deterring North Korean aggression. 
  
The UNC extended its presence to Japan to uphold these objectives.   
  
The Peace Odyssey’s trip marked the first time the UNC granted foreign civilians access to its rear bases in Japan since the Covid-19 pandemic.   
  
There are seven UNC rear bases in Japan. The Peace Odyssey visited two — the Yokosuka Naval Base and the Yokota Air Base.   
  
While the UNC has made most base facilities accessible, a few remain off-limits. Amid the rapidly evolving international landscape characterized by increased cooperation between North Korea, China, and Russia, the UNC sought to provide accurate information about its role.

Joong Ang Ilbo

You can read the rest at the link, but as the article mentions the UNC rear bases in Japan serves a lot like what Kuwait has served for operations in the Middle East. Japan’s bases would be a critical logistics hub for bringing in material and troops to support any contingency on the Korean peninsula.

It is interesting that this conclusion is being leaked to media:

The U.S.-led U.N. Command (UNC) has concluded both South and North Korea violated the armistice by sending drones into each other’s territory last month, an informed source said Wednesday.

The UNC recently reached the conclusion after its special team investigated the North’s Dec. 26 drone infiltrations, which led the South to send its drones into the North in a “corresponding” step.

UNC Commander Gen. Paul LaCamera has been briefed on the investigation outcome, the source told Yonhap News Agency, requesting anonymity.

LaCamera, who also heads the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command and the U.S. Forces Korea, is said to have been pondering whether to disclose the outcome amid concerns that it could risk friction with the Seoul government.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

Here is another example of a foreign officer holding a significant leadership position within a US leadership structure:

A Canadian three-star Army general took office as the first non-American deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC) on Monday, underscoring the command’s ongoing efforts for “revitalization.”

During a change-of-responsibility ceremony, Lieut. Gen. Wayne D. Eyre assumed the mantle, which had been dominated by U.S. officers since the command’s inception in 1950 during the Korean War. He replaced Lieut. Gen. Thomas Bergeson, the current commander of the U.S. 7th Air Force.

“This (UNC) revitalization is an important move towards transforming international commitments to the Korean Peninsula security,” Eyre said during the ceremony at Camp Humphreys, a sprawling U.S. military complex in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul.

“I am excited to execute your intent and help shape this journey toward enduring peace and stability,” he added, referring to UNC commander Gen. Vincent Brooks, who depicted Eyre’s appointment as part of UNC “transformational” or revitalization endeavors.  [Yonhap]

You can read more at the link.