The outgoing commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea, who leaves on July 14, said he supported South Korea’s military reform.
In a breakfast meeting organized by the Association of the Republic of Korea Army on June 20, Sharp said “The USFK command is committed to providing the necessary support for the defense reform plan process. I am convinced that the timing of the national defense reform is right.”
He also said that along with the defense reform, strategic alliance 2015 will guarantee in resolving many conflicts on the Korean Peninsula as well as in the world.
“Defense reform is necessary and this is obvious fact,” Sharp said. “For the reform to succeed, it requires strong leadership from the top. The chairman’s and service chiefs’ direction and vision are necessary to guide the Korean military toward jointness and greatly increase combat capability.”
In response to a question related to putting the brakes on bringing families of U.S. military personnel to South Korea by the U.S, Senate, the commander said the reason was the budget concern for families’ housing and schools. He said the U.S. Congress and the Pentagon is working on ways to secure such budget.
In the meantime, Sharp said that there is no need for South Korea to redeploy tactical nuclear weapons even though North Korea will no doubt continue with its military threats.
“While the Kim Jong-il regime has proven a willingness to escalate in order to obtain what it wants, I am convinced that the ROK-U.S. alliance is prepared,” the commander said. “Our counter-provocation planning and combined exercises are stronger than ever.”
Sharp said there were many challenges over the last few years, from North Korean missile launches to attacks on the Navy corvette Cheonan and Yeonpyeong Island.
“All of those were very difficult challenges, but what came out of all those challenges was a stronger alliance and a stronger capability by both of our militaries,” he added.
Retired Gen. Paik Sun-yup, the Korean Army chief of staff during the Korean War and the president of the association, presented Sharp who will end his 37-year-long military career in South Korea with an appreciation plaque before the meeting.
RoK MoD
