The United States and South Korea held the 205th Joint Committee Meeting of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) on December 12 at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek. Hong Ji-pyo, Director-General of the North American Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and David R. Iverson, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Forces Korea, represented the two sides as co-chairs.
During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed the cooperative relationship that has continued for over 70 years and recognized the importance of SOFA as a force enabler. They agreed to support the development of the U.S.-ROK alliance into a future-oriented and comprehensive strategic alliance amid changing regional security environments.
The 205th Joint Committee confirmed the active communication between the two sides over the past 24 months on various alliance issues, including civil-military relations, environmental management, immigration, and the protection of U.S. military facilities. The U.S. and South Korea agreed to expedite SOFA channel consultations regarding the relocation and return of U.S. military bases in Korea.
The co-chairs commended the efforts of the Noise Reduction Subcommittee towards the second noise impact assessment, which evaluates the impact of military activities on local communities and residents. Both sides agreed that various civil-military projects serve as a strong bridge connecting the people of both nations and continue to solidify the U.S.-ROK alliance.