The head of the United Nations Command says U.N. forces will continue to defend the Korean Peninsula.

In a speech given at a ceremony in Tokyo marking the 64th United Nations Day on Thursday, General Walter Sharp thanked U.N. member countries for their sacrifices and dedication during the Korean War.

Sharp, who also serves as the commander of U.S. forces in South Korea, stressed that the U.N. command will serve as an effective means of resolving conflicts in the Asia-Pacific region and protecting the Korean Peninsula from any hostilities.