"Video Conference of SOFA Joint Committee on Return of 12 US Military Bases Nationwide... 'Agreement on Swift Return Procedures'"

Discussion to Continue on Amendments to Documents Related to Pollution Remediation Responsibility, Strengthening Environmental Management of USFK Bases, and Korea's Proposal on SOFA
Evaluation of COVID-19 Quarantine Cooperation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the morning of the 11th, the Republic of Korea and the United States held the 201st Joint Committee meeting on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) via video conference, agreeing to further strengthen and deepen their cooperative relationship aimed at enhancing the safety and convenience of Korean citizens and maintaining a stable environment for the stationing of U.S. Forces Korea. The meeting was attended by Ko Yoon-joo, Director-General of the North American Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Scott Ployce, Deputy Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, representing the U.S. side.

The Joint Committee noted the extensive consultations conducted by both sides to reach mutually acceptable agreements regarding the condition of bases scheduled for return and environmental cleanup within the bases. They agreed that further delays in base returns would exacerbate the economic and social difficulties faced by local communities surrounding the bases and concurred that the return procedures should proceed promptly.

Accordingly, the Joint Committee decided to return a total of 12 bases on the condition that both sides continue discussions on ▲responsibility for environmental cleanup ▲strengthening environmental management measures for bases currently used by U.S. Forces Korea ▲the possibility of revising SOFA-related documents proposed by Korea.

The 12 bases include parts of Pilsung firing range (Taebaek), Camp Walker helipad (Daegu), Pohang Marine Corps, parts of Camp Mobile (Dongducheon), Camp Jackson (Uijeongbu), Seongnam Golf Course (Hanam), Far East Engineer Group (Seoul), Seobinggo site (Seoul), Niblio Barracks (Seoul), 8th Army Religious Recreation Facility (Seoul), Camp Kim (Seoul), and two sections of Yongsan Base (Sports Field site, Softball Field site) (Seoul). Additionally, both sides agreed to discuss through the SOFA Environmental Subcommittee the development of ▲environmental management standards ▲joint environmental investigation procedures ▲reporting procedures and joint investigation procedures in case of environmental accidents, as well as improvement measures related to these.

Furthermore, considering the necessity for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and U.S. Forces Korea to maintain a high level of readiness required to successfully and swiftly defend the Republic of Korea, both sides agreed to continue cooperation and discussions regarding the safety of both Korean and American citizens.

The Joint Committee evaluated that Korea and U.S. Forces Korea cooperated exemplary in response to the spread of COVID-19, stating that close coordination and communication for joint response to COVID-19 enhanced mutual trust between the two countries and expanded the scope of cooperation as a strategic alliance.

The Joint Committee pledged to continue maintaining a close partnership and transparent cooperation between the two countries based on mutual trust, respect, and close cooperation to resolve major SOFA issues and to further strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance.

Meanwhile, the next Joint Committee meeting is scheduled to be held at a mutually convenient time next year.

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