Defense minister awarded US decoration for promoting peace

Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo stands to attention after receiving the Legion of Merit, a top U.S. government decoration given to foreign military personnel, from his former counterpart, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense

By Park Ji-won

South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo has received a top U.S. military award for strengthening the alliance between the countries and promoting peace while working as chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the defense ministry said Wednesday.

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, who served as Jeong's counterpart, conferred the Legion of Merit, an award given to foreign military officials with exceptionally meritorious conduct, on Jeong in Washington D.C., Tuesday.

The U.S. military commended Jeong for his role in cementing the relationship between South Korea and the U.S. and promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, according to the ministry.

Dunford praised Jeong for his close cooperation with the U.S. He said the South's defense minister has exceptional leadership skills and insights allowing him to make wise decisions in regards to establishing peace on the peninsula.

Jeong, who served as the JCS chief from August 2017 to September 2018, visited Washington for talks with acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan on the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON). They have launched the Special Permanent Military Committee (SPMC) and agreed to have talks monthly to discuss the matter.

“I am extremely honored to receive the U.S. Army's top decoration given to a foreign army and give thanks to the U.S. government and U.S. Department of Defense,” Jeong said.

“This decoration is given not just to me, but it is one that I receive on behalf of all South Korean soldiers. I will do my best for the honor of both South Korean and U.S. troops and the development of the robust South Korea-U.S. alliance.”

Jeong, meanwhile, told reporters there is no plan to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Seoul and the allies are monitoring the activities of a missile launch site in Tongchang-ri, North Korea.