(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on June 30)

New USFK headquarters
Pyeongtaek relocation comes amid challenging times

The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) moved its headquarters to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Friday, after being based in Yongsan, central Seoul, for more than 60 years.

Military officials from the two countries were present at the opening ceremony, including Defense Minister Song Young-moo and General Vincent Brooks, commander of the USFK. "Today marks a historic milestone in the history of the United Nations Command (UNC) which began in 1950 and the history of the ROK-U.S. alliance," Brooks said in an opening speech.

President Moon Jae-in, who has been on sick leave this week, wrote a speech for the opening ceremony of Camp Humphreys, which was given by his security aide Lee Sang-chul. "The Korea-U.S. alliance is the basis for maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and been the foundation for our democratization and economic growth," Moon said. "With the start of the Pyeongtaek era, I hope that our alliance will evolve into a greater one."

The relocation to Pyeongtaek, about 70 kilometers south of Seoul, comes at challenging times in U.S.-Korea relations. Amid the whirlwind of diplomacy toward North Korea's denuclearization, the U.S. and South Korea recently announced the suspension of the joint Ulchi Freedom Guardian military exercise, scheduled for August. They will also suspend Marine drills scheduled for July.

The allies' restraint on joint military exercises, which North Korea views as rehearsals for invasion, are aimed at setting the right mood while U.S.-North Korea denuclearization talks are in progress. But the suspension of joint drills have been triggering concerns among the Korean public about the weakening of the Korea-.U.S. alliance, the backbone of national security.

Many Koreans have also been worried about U.S. President Donald Trump's comments about wanting to bring U.S. troops home. He has criticized Korea for paying "peanuts" to maintain the USFK.

U.S. Secretary of Defense James said that Washington has no plans to downsize the U.S. troops in Korea, at least for the time being, during his meeting with Defense Minister Song, Thursday.

The USFK's role is expected to become more important in the future with the rise of China's influence in Northeast Asia. We hope that the new era of U.S. troops in Pyeongtaek will solidify our alliance and ensure that the two countries are always on the same page in working toward peace on the peninsula.
(END)