On Friday, August 2, Germany officially joined the United States-led multinational forces stationed in South Korea – the United Nations Command (UNC), becoming the 18th member country of the command. The purpose of this command is to assist in maintaining the security of the Korean peninsula and to pledge to defend South Korea in the event of war.
According to Reuters, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated during a ceremony held at the U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, that this move demonstrates Berlin’s firm belief in the close connection between European security and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
“I firmly believe that especially at a time when the world is influenced by crises and wars, we need to show unity, we need to firmly oppose those who seek to disrupt peace and stability, those who attack our common order,” Pistorius remarked.
When asked whether this action would escalate tensions in the region, Pistorius told reporters, “We do not consider this a provocative decision. We are simply upholding our commitment to a rule-based international order.”
Pistorius stated that by joining the UNC, Germany would share the responsibility of protecting the Korean peninsula, thereby elevating Germany’s commitment to the security and stability of the region to a higher level.
In a meeting with Pistorius, South Korean Defense Minister Suh Wook remarked that South Korea and the UNC had found a new cooperative partner in maintaining peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in collectively addressing threats from North Korea.
General Paul LaCamera, the commander of the UNC and U.S. Forces Korea, noted that Germany’s accession diversified the perspectives and resources of the UNC, enhancing their collective professional knowledge and capabilities.
He added that considering Germany’s diplomatic relations and efforts in the Indo-Pacific region, “we can explore many opportunities.”
Ramon Pacheco Pardo, an international relations expert at King’s College London, mentioned that as autocratic and democratic countries compete globally, South Korea and the U.S. view the UNC as one of the more critical institutions. “From this perspective, Germany’s accession is meaningful because Germany can be seen as the most relevant and powerful European country today,” he added.
Furthermore, Germany aims to play a more significant role in Asian security and now considers South Korea one of its key regional partners.
Since Italy’s reentry into the UNC in 2013, Germany is the first country to be admitted to the command.
This represents the latest move by the United States and its partners to expand multidimensional alliances and partnerships globally, intending to transform the existing 74-year-old multinational command into a broader regional security umbrella.
Participant countries in the UNC include combat forces from 16 countries such as the UK, France, Canada, Australia, and the U.S., as well as medical teams from countries like Italy and Sweden. They have previously deployed troops or provided medical support during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.
Established after the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, the UNC’s mission is to restore peace, implement ceasefire agreements, and serve as a channel of communication with North Korea.
The command is led by a U.S. military commander stationed in South Korea and is not under the jurisdiction of the United Nations.