U.S. General Xavier Brunson took office as the new head of the United Nations Command, the Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Korea.

A change-of-command ceremony was held at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek on Friday, where Brunson replaced outgoing commander Gen. Paul LaCamera.

The event was presided over by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo and attended by acting defense minister Kim Seon-ho.

In his inaugural speech, Brunson called the South Korea-U.S. alliance a "beacon of stability and strength in an ever-changing world," pledging to respond to present challenges and to prepare for uncertainties in the future.

Stressing that "words alone will not serve as a deterrent," Brunson promised to guarantee a readiness posture against any threat through "realistic" joint and combined exercises.