Korean American Friendship Council welcomes new members

By Mr. David Mcnally (RDECOM)July 11, 2008

<b>BUPYEONG-GU, Republic of Korea</b> - Garrison officials met with Bupyeong Ward municipal and civic leaders in a Korean American Friendship Council July 11. The meeting is an opportunity to discuss mutual concerns and help build camaraderie.

Camp Market, a small U.S. Army depot, is located in the center of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bupyeong">Bupyeong</a>, one of 10 administrative districts in Incheon.

Camp Market is one of nine installations in U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan.

"This council gives us a strong foundation for a solid friendship," USAG-Yongsan Commander Col. Dave Hall told the group. "The Garrison is a community of 25,000 Americans serving in Seoul, Bupyeong and Seongnam. I am proud to command the Garrison and proud to be part of the alliance that keeps Korea free."

Because of the Korean presidential election and many personnel transitions, this was the first Bupyeong KAFC meeting for the commander and command sergeant major. The council recognized nine new Korean and American members.

"I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new KAFC members," said Bupyeong Mayor Park Yoon-bae. "I hope that you will work hard to promote friendship among KAFC members and contribute toward the development of the council."

Park thanked the Americans for the 8th U.S. Army Band performance at a recent Bupyeong festival.

"It was excellent entertainment for all Bupyeong citizens," he said. "I hope that this relationship, based on firm cooperation, will continue in the future."

The leaders agreed to continue an open dialog on mutual issues of concern.

"This is a critical part of our good neighbor program," said USAG-Yongsan Community Relations Officer An Chang-sin. "We have very good relations with our counterparts outside the gates of our installations."

The next council meeting is scheduled for October.

Related Links:

Bupyeong Wikipedia Entry

Garrison officials honor Korean War dead

U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Flickr Site

U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Official Site