Seoul: U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel emphasized the critical role of the South Korea-U.S. alliance in maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the broader Indo-Pacific region during a forum in Seoul. Steel underscored the longstanding partnership between the two nations, which was solidified with sacrifices made during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Steel remarked that the U.S.-ROK alliance has been pivotal for over 70 years, citing the unbreakable mutual defense treaty between the two countries. She highlighted that the alliance transcends governmental agreements, embodying a shared history between the people of both nations, rooted in the Korean War.

Steel pointed out that South Korea's emergence as a leader in technology, culture, manufacturing, and democracy is largely due to the contributions of its people and the collaborative efforts with U.S. and South Korean military forces. She expressed gratitude to the active-duty service members from U.S. Forces Korea and the ROK armed forces for their ongoing commitment, referring to them as the embodiment of the enduring alliance.

The forum, organized by the U.S. Alliance Foundation and Korea Defense Veterans Association, focused on the theme "The sacrifice of the U.S. Forces Korea after the armistice agreement, and the South Korea-U.S. alliance." It featured attendance from notable figures such as Vice Veterans Minister Kang Yun-jin and former USFK commanders, including Paul LaCamera, Burwell Bell, and Robert Abrams, alongside veterans of the Korean War.