USSTRATCOM Commander’s visit to ROK

Gen. Anthony J. Cotton, commander, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), visited the Korean Peninsula Aug. 29-Sept. 1 as part of multiday visit to reiterate America’s commitment to its partners and allies in Northeast Asia.

Cotton met with Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg at the U.S. Embassy and discussed the role of the ROK as a respected, capable ally, as well as vital partner in continued peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the Indo-Pacific region. Ambassador Goldberg welcomed STRATCOM efforts to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance while enhancing its combined deterrence and response posture.

Cotton later traveled to CP Tango and met with Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander, United Nations Command / Combined Forces Command / U.S. Forces Korea, to discuss strategic deterrence and regional security. While at CP Tango, Cotton also received a brief on the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, which is currently being conducted by joint, combined and interagency personnel across the peninsula.

Over the next couple of days, Cotton will meet with Republic of Korea senior leaders to reiterate America’s ironclad commitment and ways the two nations contribute to the stability of the Indo-Pacific region as discussed in the Washington Declaration and the recent trilateral summit at Camp David between President Joe Biden, Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

This is Cotton’s first visit to the Western Pacific since becoming the USSTRATCOM commander. Cotton’s visit and engagements demonstrate the commitment of the Department of State, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Forces Korea to combined, key regional allies and partners.