U.S. President Donald Trump marked the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War armistice by stressing the importance of the U.S.-South Korea alliance and said the United States would defend freedom against the communist threat.
On the 27th (local time), Trump said in a "National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day" message that the White House released, "Even more than 70 years after the end of the war, the United States and the Republic of Korea maintain a strong alliance forged by shared sacrifice and bound by an unwavering commitment to freedom."
He added, "This alliance is a pillar that supports peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and a solemn promise to our allies in Asia that the United States will stand with them against the forces of evil and oppression."
Trump said, "The ambitions of communism, which once sought to conquer the Korean Peninsula, are now trying to reemerge in the West, but our resolve will never waver," adding, "Communism is the sworn enemy of free people around the world, and my administration will defend freedom at home and abroad with unwavering strength against this threat and ensure that freedom overcomes tyranny across the globe."
Regarding the Korean War, he said, "Before communism could engulf the free world, the United States took up arms to stop its spread, and that noble purpose was achieved in victory," adding, "The Republic of Korea was preserved from the brink of conquest as a proud and independent nation."
He also said the war exacted a heavy toll, with about 32,000 U.S. troops killed and about 90,000 wounded, adding, "Their sacrifices to preserve our way of life will never be forgotten."
Trump closed by quoting the inscription "Freedom is not Free" at the Korean War Veterans Memorial and paid tribute to the veterans' sacrifice and devotion.
Last year's message from Trump included language that he had applied maximum pressure and sanctions on North Korea to negotiate denuclearization, the release of American hostages, and the repatriation of U.S. war remains. This time, however, he raised the level of ideological messaging by directly mentioning communism.
In 2017, Trump's first year in office, he designated July 27, the date of the Korean War armistice, as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, and since then he has released a commemorative message each year honoring the sacrifices of the veterans.