On Friday, Germany officially joined the US-led United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea — a group of nations that guard the border with North Korea and have pledged to help defend South Korea in the event of war, reports "Reuters", quoted by BTA.
Germany is the 18th country to join the command and the first since Italy was re-established in 2013.
The move is a "clear sign" of Berlin's commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said at a ceremony at US military headquarters in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul.
"We are taking our engagement to a more permanent level," he said.
As part of the UNC, Germany will share responsibility for protecting South Korea's border with North Korea, Pistorius added.
"The move represents the need to show unity and stand firm against those who attack our common order," Pistorius said, adding that it was evidence of Germany's view that European and Indo-Pacific security are closely linked.
U.S. Army Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander of UNC and United States Forces Korea, said the addition of Germany will diversify the perspectives and capabilities available to UNC.