UNC Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson made the remarks in a post on X honoring the 22 countries that fought or provided medical support to South Korea, a country thousands of miles away under the U.N. flag during the war.
"Today marks the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement. The Armistice is not a peace treaty, but for 73 years it has provided the framework that has helped preserve peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Brunson said.
Honoring those countries' sacrifice in defending "freedom and security in [South] Korea" he said, "Their veterans remain the living bridge between the battlefield of yesterday and the peace we safeguard today."
He also stressed the need for continued commitment and readiness to uphold the agreement. "Their legacy reminds us that preserving the Armistice requires steadfast commitment, unwavering vigilance, and credible readiness. There is no substitute for being ready," he added.
Signed on July 27, 1953 by the UNC, the agreement halted active fighting but left the two Koreas technically still at war. South Korea observes the day to honor fallen troops, while North Korea marks it as "Victory Day," claiming to have defeated U.N.-led forces.
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