ID :
34743
Wed, 12/10/2008 - 08:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/34743
The shortlink copeid
Korea-U.S. alliance offers 'a bundle,' says USFK commander
By Kim Boram
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- The five-decade-old alliance between South Korea and
the United States offers both countries a deal that is more than the sum of its
parts, the chief of U.S. forces stationed here said Tuesday.
"A Korean proverb says, 'Give a little and receive a bundle.'" That describes
very well the heartfelt feeling between Koreans and Americans," Gen. Walter
Sharp, commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), said at a dinner hosted by the
Korea-America Good Neighbor Society, a non-governmental group working to improve
ties between the two countries.
"Of course, both Koreans and Americans would insist that they are the one that
give a little and receive a bundle. In fact, we know that we both have given a
bundle and have received more than a bundle for a long time, since we have been a
strong alliance together," added Sharp, who also heads the United Nations Command
and the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC).
The USFK chief said the alliance is now facing a crucial moment as the countries
are in "a very important time of the nations' history and history of the
alliance," apparently referring to upcoming changes such as the transfer of the
wartime operational control of South Korean troops.
In 2012, Seoul will take the wartime operational control, often called OPCON, of
its troops back from Washington, a move that will also lead to the disbandment of
the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC).
As head of the CFC, established in 1978, Sharp holds wartime control of both
South Korean and U.S. troops here.
About 28,500 U.S. troops are currently stationed in South Korea, which
technically remains at war with North Korea as the 1950-53 Korean War ended only
with an armistice, not a formal peace agreement.
"This alliance is the strongest in the world because of the constant efforts of
people like each of you -- both society and service members," Sharp said.
Also attending Tuesday's dinner were 70 U.S. service members who were selected
for their dedicated service to both the U.S. and South Korea.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- The five-decade-old alliance between South Korea and
the United States offers both countries a deal that is more than the sum of its
parts, the chief of U.S. forces stationed here said Tuesday.
"A Korean proverb says, 'Give a little and receive a bundle.'" That describes
very well the heartfelt feeling between Koreans and Americans," Gen. Walter
Sharp, commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), said at a dinner hosted by the
Korea-America Good Neighbor Society, a non-governmental group working to improve
ties between the two countries.
"Of course, both Koreans and Americans would insist that they are the one that
give a little and receive a bundle. In fact, we know that we both have given a
bundle and have received more than a bundle for a long time, since we have been a
strong alliance together," added Sharp, who also heads the United Nations Command
and the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC).
The USFK chief said the alliance is now facing a crucial moment as the countries
are in "a very important time of the nations' history and history of the
alliance," apparently referring to upcoming changes such as the transfer of the
wartime operational control of South Korean troops.
In 2012, Seoul will take the wartime operational control, often called OPCON, of
its troops back from Washington, a move that will also lead to the disbandment of
the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC).
As head of the CFC, established in 1978, Sharp holds wartime control of both
South Korean and U.S. troops here.
About 28,500 U.S. troops are currently stationed in South Korea, which
technically remains at war with North Korea as the 1950-53 Korean War ended only
with an armistice, not a formal peace agreement.
"This alliance is the strongest in the world because of the constant efforts of
people like each of you -- both society and service members," Sharp said.
Also attending Tuesday's dinner were 70 U.S. service members who were selected
for their dedicated service to both the U.S. and South Korea.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
