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A video clip of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry remarking on Korea’s Independence Day. (Website of the U.S. Embassy in Korea)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry congratulated Korea on 68 years of independence in a video message on Thursday.
“On behalf of President Obama and the American people, it’s my great pleasure to congratulate the Korean people as you celebrate the anniversary of your independence this Aug. 15,” Kerry said in video remarks disclosed through the U.S. Embassy in Korea on Wednesday. “The story of the Republic of Korea is an inspiration to people everywhere, including here in the United States.”
“In the last 60 years, the Republic of Korea has become a vibrant democracy and global economic powerhouse. I saw that firsthand when I came to Seoul earlier this year and I visited with the Korean people,” he said. “And people in every corner of the world can see it, as the ‘Korean Wave’ spreads Korean culture to countries near and far.”
“Over the last 60 years, we have built one of the strongest partnerships on the planet,” Kerry said, “It is strengthened every day.”
By Chun Sung-woo (
swchun@heraldcorp.com)