Speaking with Evans J.R. Revere, president of The Korea Society, General Bell praised the simplicity of the two countries' alliance agreement. Signed in 1953, the agreement embodies the allies' mutual defense pledge that remains unchanged today. What has changed, Bell explained, is the joint command structure delineating responsibility for command of the allied forces on the Korean peninsula in any given situation.

This is covered in a separate agreement that exists independently of the alliance and is subject to change as circumstances warrant. In 1994, for example, responsibility for peacetime operations was shifted from an American to a Korean commander. More recently, the two allies have agreed to a parallel shift in wartime operational control that is scheduled to be implemented in 2012.

Noting that the ROK's armed forces have improved tremendously over the last 20 years, Bell said that he had no qualms about placing American soldiers under a Korean commander. "We trust Korean general officers to lead senior theater command," he said. "I proclaim proudly and loudly all the time that the competencies of the Korean flag officers are second to none."

As the transfer date draws closer, however, concern has been voiced in both countries that the impending change in command structure represents a diminished American commitment to Korea.

While sensitive to these concerns, Bell does not share them. Korean control over the country's defense is an important symbol of sovereignty and the alliance remained strong through the 1994 operational command transfer, despite similar worries expressed at the time.

Expressing confidence that a shared commitment to peace and stability in Northeast Asia will keep the alliance vital, Bell concluded: "This alliance has a reason for being that far exceeds the specific command and control structures.

About the Presenter

General B.B. Bell is the commander of United States Forces Korea. Commissioned as a distinguished military graduate in 1969, Bell has held command positions with the 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 24th Infantry Division; the 1st Infantry Division as well as the Army’s Armor Center and III Corps. Prior to taking command of United States Forces Korea, Bell commanded the United States Army Europe and led NATO’s Allied Land Component Command.

During operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Bell deployed as USCINCCENT's executive officer. During Operation Joint Endeavor in the Balkans, he served as chief of staff as USAREUR forward headquarters in Taszar, Hungary. Bell also served as a senior military fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York in 1994 and has since been selected as one of the Council’s serving members.

Bell’s decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army Commendation Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters.

Original Announcement:

East Asia is a region of extraordinary opportunities and challenges. The U.S.–ROK alliance, one of seven U.S. mutual defense treaties, has been and should continue to be a cornerstone of America’s security posture in the region. However, many in both the U.S. and Korea still view the alliance as a legacy wartime arrangement useful only until a permanent peace treaty can be put in place on the peninsula. At that point, the argument goes, American troops should be brought home.

This argument is flawed. Both nations have an opportunity to look beyond the one-dimensional, albeit evolving, situation with North Korea, and explore the establishment of a long-term bilateral partnership based on a shared interest in working together to deal with East Asia’s opportunities, complexities and challenges. If we do this, our two vibrant democracies can contribute significantly to East Asian regional, and global, stability and security for decades to come.