ID :
23055
Tue, 10/07/2008 - 10:22
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/23055
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean, U.S. troops to mark anniversary of combined command
SEOUL, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) -- The combined command of South Korean and U.S. troops here will mark the 30th anniversary of its foundation this week with various cultural and athletic events aimed at bringing the joint forces closer, the command said Tuesday.
The events will be held throughout the remainder of the week at U.S. Yongsan
Garrison, which also houses the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC).
"The upcoming events will mark the 30th anniversary of the CFC on Nov. 7 while
helping the two forces to strengthen their friendship and allow (U.S. troops) to
experience Korea's traditional culture," the CFC said in a press release.
Mixed teams of South Korean and American officials from the CFC will compete in
six athletic events, including basketball, football and softball, while U.S.
servicemembers will be offered the chance to make kimchi and try on Korea's
traditional wedding attire.
The events will be attended by some 1,000 South Korean and U.S. officials working
at the CFC, along with their families, according to a CFC official.
Established in 1978, the CFC is headed by the top commander of U.S. Forces Korea,
who currently has wartime operational control of both South Korean and American
forces here.
The CFC is set to be disbanded on April 17, 2012, when Washington will hand over
wartime operational control of South Korean troops back to Seoul for the first
time since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.
The U.S. currently maintains some 28,500 troops in Korea as a deterrent against
possible aggression from North Korea. Washington plans to establish a new
command, tentatively named Korea Command, to take control of its troops here
after 2012.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
The events will be held throughout the remainder of the week at U.S. Yongsan
Garrison, which also houses the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC).
"The upcoming events will mark the 30th anniversary of the CFC on Nov. 7 while
helping the two forces to strengthen their friendship and allow (U.S. troops) to
experience Korea's traditional culture," the CFC said in a press release.
Mixed teams of South Korean and American officials from the CFC will compete in
six athletic events, including basketball, football and softball, while U.S.
servicemembers will be offered the chance to make kimchi and try on Korea's
traditional wedding attire.
The events will be attended by some 1,000 South Korean and U.S. officials working
at the CFC, along with their families, according to a CFC official.
Established in 1978, the CFC is headed by the top commander of U.S. Forces Korea,
who currently has wartime operational control of both South Korean and American
forces here.
The CFC is set to be disbanded on April 17, 2012, when Washington will hand over
wartime operational control of South Korean troops back to Seoul for the first
time since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.
The U.S. currently maintains some 28,500 troops in Korea as a deterrent against
possible aggression from North Korea. Washington plans to establish a new
command, tentatively named Korea Command, to take control of its troops here
after 2012.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)