Pentagon stresses relations with allies on Korean War anniversary

Senior U.S. defense officials on Saturday commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, highlighting the importance of relations with allies as the country shifts its strategic priorities to the Asia Pacific region. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff James Winnefeld on Saturday participated in a ceremony in Washington marking the anniversary of the armistice ending active combat on the Korean peninsula. "The Korean War teaches us an important lesson - that alliances and international institutions are extensions of our influence, not constraints on our power," Hagel said. "And they are critical to our long-term vision of peace and stability, especially in the Asia-Pacific." He went on to stress that to sustain security and prosperity in the 21st century, the United States is "strengthening its economic, diplomatic, cultural, and security ties with countries throughout Asia." Hagel made the remarks as the United States is shifting its strategic focus to the Asia Pacific region, and the U.S. military is prioritizing investments and operations in that region as the it faces budgetary constraints. To battle fiscal difficulties, U.S. military has been more and more open to fostering allies' capabilities in complementing its own. The Korean War came to a ceasefire on July 27, 1953, when the Armistice Agreement was signed in the truce village of Panmunjom. But the war is not officially over because no peace treaty has ever been signed.