S. Korean military hosts exchange event for UNC troops ahead of key combined drills with U.S.

Seoul, August 12 - The South Korean military hosted an exchange event for 66 soldiers from 11 of the 18 United Nations Command (UNC) member states, as they prepare to join South Korea and the United States in a joint military exercise, officials confirmed. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) organized the event at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, aiming to foster friendly relations and demonstrate appreciation for the UNC troops' commitment to the Armistice Agreement that ended the Korean War.

The UNC has contributed its soldiers as reinforcement, bolstering the Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) drills, scheduled to commence next Monday.

The purpose of the event was to express gratitude to the UNC members for their dedication and efforts during UFS and to deepen the bonds of trust formed through their shared experiences. During the event, the participating troops visited the Panmunjom border village, offering them a firsthand view of the current security situation on the Korean Peninsula and an opportunity to learn about the historical context of the Korean War.

Among those in attendance were the descendants of Australian and New Zealand veterans, who fought alongside South Korean forces under the U.N. banner.