President of South Korea thanks United States for sacrifices in war

Opinion: June 29, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By Lee Myung-bak

Los Angeles Times

Sixty years ago, at dawn on June 25, the Korean War broke out when Communist North Korea invaded the Republic of Korea. In response, 16 member countries of the United Nations, including the United States, joined with the Republic of Korea to defend freedom.

Over the next three years of fighting, about 37,000 Americans lost their lives. They fought for the freedom of Koreans they did not even know, and thanks to their courage, sacrifices and unbreakable will, the peace and democracy of the republic were protected.

NATION HAS COME OF AGE

On the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, I remain grateful to America for having participated in the war. At that time, the Republic of Korea was one of the most impoverished countries, with an annual per capita income of less than $40.

In 2009, my country became a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Development Assistance Committee, the first aid recipient to become a donor and in only one generation.

The Republic of Korea is engaged in peacekeeping missions in 14 countries to promote global peace. It will host the G-20 summit in November, and in 2012 the second nuclear security summit.

The Republic of Korea has emerged as an important partner of the United States in many parts of the world.

CLOSE TIES TO US REMAIN

Also, in the course of investigating and responding to the North’s March sinking of our naval vessel the Cheonan, Seoul and Washington have closely coordinated efforts and expertise. In all these endeavors, we are not losing sight of the necessity of eventually turning the Korean Peninsula into a cradle of regional and world peace.

On this significant occasion, all Koreans pay tribute to the heroes fallen in defense of freedom and democracy. I firmly believe that future generations in both countries will further advance the strong Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance into one befitting the spirit of the new age.

Lee Myung-bak is president of the Republic of Korea. He wrote this for the Los Angeles Times. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.