Lt. Gen. Derek Macaulay, the new deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC), speaks during a change-of-responsibility ceremony held at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul, Dec. 14, in this photo posted on the UNC's Facebook. Yonhap

A Canadian three-star Army general took office as the new deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC) on Thursday, underscoring the multinational command's role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Lt. Gen. Derek Macaulay succeeded British Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison during a change of responsibility ceremony at the UNC headquarters in Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, some 60 kilometers south of Seoul.

The UNC is led by a four-star U.S. general, currently Gen. Paul LaCamera, who also heads the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea.

"It is clear we must continue to work together in unity to support our Commander, Gen. LaCamera, in order to foster collaboration, resilience and understanding among member states in upholding peace and harmony on the Korean Peninsula," Macaulay said during the ceremony.

"We can contribute together to a legacy of peace and cooperation that reflects the enduring values of South Korea and the UNC Member states," he added.

It marks the second time a Canadian general has been appointed to the position since 2018.

Canada's current chief of the defense staff, Gen. Wayne Eyre, served as the UNC deputy chief from 2018 to 2019. He was the first non-American to serve in the position at the U.S.-led command.

Established in July 1950 under a U.N. mandate to support South Korea against North Korea's aggression, the UNC currently oversees the armistice agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War.

The UNC member states are the U.S., Britain, Canada, Turkey, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, the Netherlands, Colombia, Greece, New Zealand, Belgium, France, South Africa, Norway, Denmark and Italy. (Yonhap)