Abrams "Supports Agreement on Labor Costs for Korean Staff"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] General Robert Abrams, Commander of the United States Forces Korea (USFK), expressed his support for the agreement between the governments of South Korea and the United States to advance payment of wages for Korean workers employed by USFK.

In a press release on the 3rd, General Abrams stated, "I fully support the agreement between the South Korean and U.S. Ministries of Defense to fund all Korean positions within USFK through the end of 2020," and added, "Our ability to seek solutions and cooperate together to share the difficulties faced by Korean employees is another positive sign demonstrating the strength of the ROK-U.S. alliance."

General Abrams also said, "Today's announcement presents a short-term solution for wage sharing, but it also shows the need for a long-term resolution of the Special Measures Agreement (SMA)," emphasizing, "The ROK-U.S. alliance remains ironclad and is a key to peace and stability in Northeast Asia."

He explained, "The unpaid leave for some Korean employees caused by the expiration of last year's SMA is effectively ending," and "All Korean employees will return to USFK within the next few weeks."

He added, "We have continuously engaged in dialogue with the Indo-Pacific Command and the U.S. Department of Defense during the unpaid leave period," and "We have also held discussions with the South Korean Ministry of Defense to seek fair and equitable solutions to end the unpaid leave," further stating, "We fully understand the impact that partial unpaid leave has had on our readiness and strong combined defense posture, and recognize that Korean employees play a vital role in the ROK-U.S. alliance."

The U.S. Department of Defense agreed on this day to pay wages for Korean workers employed by USFK who have been on unpaid leave. This outcome is interpreted as influenced by concerns within the United States that prolonged unpaid leave could weaken the ROK-U.S. alliance and combined defense posture, especially as South Korea has already enacted a special law to support those on unpaid leave.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.