Minister of National Defense Visits ROK–U.S. Combined Forces Command for First On-Site Inspection of the New Year

- Reviews combined defense posture and underscores readiness to conduct immediately executable combined operations

- Encourages ROK and U.S. service members dedicated to their missions in the spirit of “We Go Together”

□ Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back visited the ROK–U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) at Camp Humphreys on the afternoon of January 6, 2026, marking his first on-site inspection of the new year. During the visit, he reviewed the combined defense posture and encouraged ROK and U.S. service members.

□ Minister Ahn held discussions with Gen. Xavier Brunson, Commander of the ROK–U.S. Combined Forces Command, on key security issues. He stated that “the reason for selecting Camp Humphreys as the first destination for an on-site inspection in the new year is that a firm combined defense posture is more critical than ever,” and emphasized that “building on the outcomes of the ROK–U.S. Summit and the ROK–U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) held last October, the two allies must further concretize the agreed items and implement them with greater momentum this year.”

□ After receiving a briefing on the status of combined defense mission execution, Minister Ahn remarked that “the ROK–U.S. Combined Forces Command is the ‘heart of the ROK–U.S. alliance’ and a core organization that translates the alliance spirit of ‘We Go Together’ into action rather than words.” He added that “each and every ROK and U.S. service member jointly carrying out the mission is a central pillar of the combined defense posture.”

□ Minister Ahn further stressed that “amid a rapidly changing security environment, the ‘Fight Tonight’ readiness posture must not waver for a single moment,” and called upon CFC to “play a central role in further strengthening the combined defense posture—the allies’ fundamental mission—and in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula in 2026.”

□ On the occasion, Minister Ahn met with ROK and U.S. service members who are devoting themselves to the ROK–U.S. alliance, extended New Year’s greetings, and expressed his appreciation, stating that “the dedication and tireless efforts of ROK and U.S. service members standing shoulder to shoulder and remaining fully committed to their missions are providing tangible support for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”

□ In closing, Minister Ahn emphasized that “when ROK and U.S. service members accomplish their assigned missions as a perfect One Team based on mutual trust, the ROK–U.S. alliance will become even more robust,” and urged them to maintain the highest level of diligence in mission execution.  <End>