Artwork celebrating 70 years of Korea-U.S. alliance unveiled at Pentagon

The Pentagon as seen from Air Force One in Washington on March 2, 2022 [AP PHOTO/YONHAP]

A work of art commemorating more than 70 years of the Korea-U. S. alliance has been unveiled at the Pentagon, as Seoul and Washington work to advance their partnership to better adapt to the shifting contours of security in Asia and beyond.

An event unveiling an artwork by Korean artist Seol Kyung-chul took place Wednesday after the two countries held regular high-level defense talks, called the Korea-U. S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD), at the Defense Department building near Washington.

Installed at the Korean War Memorial section of the Pentagon, the piece consists of 300,000 pixelated images symbolizing the alliance forged in blood during the 1950-53 Korean War. Set against a military green background, its center depicts harmony between the allies through a traditional Korean
taegeuk pattern.

Senior Korean and U.S. officials welcomed the installation of the piece after holding the two-day KIDD session.

“The legacy of the Korean War has had an unmistakable impact on our relationship to this day,” U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs John Noh said.

“Though our alliance has evolved over the past seven decades, we still approach our work with due recognition that our bond was forged through a shared sacrifice,” he added.

Underscoring that Korea “was and is” one of the United States’ strongest allies, Noh said that the newly installed work of art is an “emblem” and a “testament” to the enduring nature of the Seoul-Washington alliance.

Korea’s Deputy Defense Minister for Policy Kim Hong-cheol stressed that the alliance is the product of steadfast efforts — large and small — based on the sacrifices of war veterans, cooperation between the two countries’ defense authorities and the commitment of those, like Seol, who value the security partnership.

Seol said he was moved to tears when he first learned that his artwork would be put on display at the Pentagon. He had spent more than four years working on the piece since 2021.

“Through this work, I wish to express my gratitude to the Korean and American governments and the people who sacrificed and dedicated themselves in support of Korea,” Seol said. “I sincerely hope that our alliance and friendship will continue in the future.”

Seol’s artwork draws heavily on his family history, which he says is deeply intertwined with the development of the Korea-U. S. alliance.

His father, Seol Myung-hee, was a dedicated Korean Marine who fought alongside American troops during the Korean War. The artist’s son, Jason Seol, currently serves as the deputy chief of future operations at the U.S. First Army Headquarters.