Korea-US SOFA Civil-Military Relations Subcommittee Meeting Held... Discussion on Strengthening Exchanges and Enhancing Friendship

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 26th, both South Korea and the United States held a joint meeting of the Civil-Military Relations Subcommittee under the Korea-US SOFA Joint Committee at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, discussing ways to strengthen exchanges and promote goodwill between Korean citizens and the US Forces Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

This subcommittee meeting is the third quarterly meeting since both sides agreed to reactivate the Civil-Military Relations Subcommittee.

At this meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared with the US side the status of the 2020 civil-military relations enhancement projects, including the public opinion survey targeting residents near US military bases conducted again this year, and the ongoing recruitment of the ‘We Go’ Supporters. Both sides proposed to closely cooperate to expand mutually beneficial exchanges between Korean citizens and US Forces Korea.

In response, the US side expressed appreciation for the Korean explanation and explained their efforts to strengthen civil-military relations, including the progress of the US civil-military relations perception survey. Both sides agreed to do their best to cooperate for the smooth implementation of related programs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to continue expanding positive contact opportunities between Korean citizens and US Forces Korea soldiers and their families through the subcommittee, aiming for the accumulated mutually beneficial exchange experiences to serve as a bridge.

Through conducting the public opinion survey targeting residents near US military bases for two consecutive years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accurately grasps Korean citizens’ expectations and preferred exchange methods regarding US Forces Korea and continues efforts to develop exchange projects based on this.

Additionally, the ‘We Go’ Supporters, composed of Korean citizens, US nationals residing in Korea, US Forces Korea personnel, and their families, are scheduled to be launched next month, with various exchange activities planned for the second half of this year to enhance mutual understanding and promote goodwill between South Korea and the United States.

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