On the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War

Ed Feulner / June 25, 2010

Sixty years ago today, North Korea brutally invaded the Republic of Korea. In doing so, Pyongyang revealed the true nature of its regime—its willingness to blatantly violate international agreements, its eagerness to use military attacks to achieve warped political objectives, and its utter disregard for the lives of the citizens of the Republic of Korea.  Lest we forget, this is a regime whose brutal nature continues to this day and which is in fact trying to perpetuate itself at the moment through a second dynastic transition.

On the southern side of the border is the free and democratic Republic of Korea, whose leaders and citizens join those of the United States and the other nations that formed the United Nations Command to pay homage to the brave men and women who fought in that war.  The armed forces of these nations fought North Korea, and later China, and persevered even when it seemed that hope had died. We humbly honor their service and remember that far too many brave young souls paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our shared values of freedom, democracy, and human rights.

Because it started in this manner, it is often said that the U.S.-Korean alliance has been “forged in blood.” That is surely true, because the true mettle of an enduring partnership such as that between our two countries, can only come when we have shared not only the best of times, but also of the worst of times. (more…)