[INTERVIEW] UNC deputy commander stresses transparency in defusing inter-Korean tensions

Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison, deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC), poses in front of a monument commemorating the 1950-53 Korean War installed at the UNC headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

United Nations Command celebrates 73rd anniversary

By Lee Hyo-jin

Transparent and accurate investigations into alleged armistice violations between the two Koreas are important in defusing escalating tensions and maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula, according to Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison, the British deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC).

"I think that transparency and deep investigation are critical to ensuring that we can deescalate a situation by getting the correct facts, which often differ from some of the reporting that might exist across media or social media," he said during an interview with The Korea Times at UNC headquarters in U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday.

As such, the UNC ensures that a scrupulous and deep investigation is conducted ― overseen by the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) ― to assess what the facts are behind many of the stories and rumors that arise after an incident between Seoul and Pyongyang, he said.

One recent publicly known investigation conducted by the UNC is the drone incident that occurred late last year. Following North Korea's drone infiltration into the South on Dec. 26, 2022, Seoul immediately sent its own drones to the North in a tit-for-tat military move. While the South Korean government claimed this to be its "right to self-defense," the UNC concluded that both Koreas violated the Korean Armistice Agreement.

"When tensions are high, then there is always the risk that people will not perceive an incident in a certain way that may not be exactly what occurred," Harrison said. "So the NNSC and the Military Armistice Commission (MAC) seek to get to the bottom of what the truth and the facts really are."

Harrison, who assumed duty as the deputy commander in December 2021, has served 35 years in the military, during which he participated in various operations in conflict zones such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone.

Members of the United Nations Command (UNC) pose during a ceremony held to mark the 73rd anniversary of the UNC at its headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Courtesy of United Nations Command

The UNC is a unified command structure for multinational military forces formed on July 7, 1950. It celebrates its 73rd anniversary this year, which also marks the 70th anniversary of the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement.

"It's a really big year to remember those who have fallen serving the United Nations Command, serving in defense of the Republic of Korea, and those who fought for peace and security on the peninsula for three generations," he said. "Seven decades…It's an amazing longevity of support to this country."

When asked about the main roles of the UNC, he described it as "both simple and complex."

"In simple terms, it's here to enforce the 1953 Armistice Agreement, which is the function of the United Nations Command and the 22 member states, who now comprise the command," he said.

But the UNC's role is more complex when it comes to maintaining communication with the North's Korean People's Army, and pulling together the sending states or the UNC member states so they can support South Korea, he added.

One other key role of the UNC is its own communication channel with the North, which it has been maintaining for over the past seven decades despite the ups-and-downs in inter-Korean relations.

Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison, deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC), gestures during an interview with The Korea Times at the "Armistice Room" of the UNC headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. In the room was displayed one of the three tables used for the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement and books containing the names of soldiers who died during the Korean War. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

"That line of communication ― not into Pyongyang, but simply across the border ― has existed for a very, very long time. And it's a critical part of our job that we take great pride in," Harrison said.

"Almost every day there is a conversation (with the North)," he said. "Most days, it's about routine business. It might be dealing with a fire in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) or administrative challenges to do with people who are visiting the Demilitarized Zone."

Looking ahead, the UNC seeks to work more effectively to bring together the capabilities of the 22 member countries with the Republic of Korea, and allow the strengths of these countries to assist the nation, he said.

Harrison also stressed the importance of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) program launched by the UNC, which is an initiative to promote meaningful contributions of women in the defense and security sectors on the Korean Peninsula.

Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison, deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC), poses in front of a monument commemorating the 1950-53 Korean War installed at UNC headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

"I'm very personally connected to this because my mother worked in the Ministry of Defence in the U.K. My wife was a veteran military officer, and my daughter is now a serving officer in the British Army," he said.

He also mentioned that the UNC will continue its efforts to clarify its rules about civilian access to the controlled areas of the DMZ. In December 2021, when President Yoon Suk Yeol was running for the presidency, he caused a stir after visiting a frontline observation unit in the DMZ, wearing a military uniform.

Soon after Yoon's visit, the UNC issued a statement, without specifically mentioning Yoon, to launch a probe into the "unauthorized activities" to determine the root cause of the failure and ensure that there is no repetition of actions that undermine compliance with the terms of the Armistice Agreement.

"I think it's always useful to clarify exactly what the stipulations are," Harrison said. "In the end, the commander is responsible for the southern part of the Demilitarized Zone, and therefore has a responsibility to make sure everyone understands what the rules and regulations are, and to ensure that they are followed."