1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha met with General Vincent Brooks, who will leave his post as Commander of United States Forces Korea, at the Foreign Ministry on November 6. Minister Kang said that during his service, Commander Brooks helped the Republic of Korea and the United States achieve their common goal of maintaining a strong combined defense posture amid rapid changes in the situation on the Korean Peninsula, as well as denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, and establishing a lasting peace on the Peninsula, and thereby contributed to advancing the ROK-US relations. Minister Kang expressed appreciation for his hard work.

o Minister Kang especially spoke highly of Commander Brooks’ roles and contributions in ensuring that the inter-Korean military agreement which will contribute to building trust between the ROK and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea enters its implementation phase with the full support of the US side.

o Commander Brooks said that during his tenure, the ROK and the US had overcome a range of challenges as a team amid the changing situation on the Korean Peninsula, and that he firmly believed the two countries would continue to successfully resolve issues in the spirit of the ROK-US alliance.

2. Minister Kang asked Commander Brooks to remain the ROK’s consistent friend even after he leaves his post based on his close ties with the ROK forged during his service as USFK Commander so that the ROK-US alliance can continue to develop into a greater alliance.

* unofficial translation