Page 182 - 2018 Defense White Paper

In addition to the defense burden sharing provided in accordance with the SMA, the ROK

government directly and indirectly supports the USFK to strengthen the combined defense
posture and ensure an appropriate stationing environment for the USFK. The composition and
scale of direct and indirect supports 11) for the USFK have changed in line with changes in the

security environment. These supports, excluding the nonrecurring cost to build the Pyeongtaek
base, amounted to around KRW 3.4 trillion in 2015. 12)

| Enhancing ROK-U.S. Mutual Understanding | The ROK and the U.S. operate diverse
programs to help enhance trust between the two countries. The MND has run the “Friends
Forever” cultural experience program that introduces Korean history and culture to the USFK

servicemembers. Since 1972, some 19,000 USFK servicemembers have participated in the
program. In 2017, a total of nearly 250 USFK servicemembers participated in Taekwondo
camps, Haeinsa temple stay, and visits to historical sites in Gongju and Gyeongju over five
dif ferent sessions, broadening their understanding of Korean history and culture. In October

th
2017, the ROK MND organized the Alliance Dinner in celebration of the 49 SCM and invited
around 500 representatives of SCM delegations, key government off icials, USFK and CFC

servicemembers, and the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) personnel.
In October 2018, the Alliance Dinner was held
th
in Washington D.C. in celebration of the 50
SCM. The dinner served as an occasion to show

appreciation to U.S. personnel who have made
a signif icant contribution to the development
of the Alliance, inviting the senior of f icials of

the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA);
Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA);
The ROK–U.S. Alliance Dinner (October 2017)
Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation

(KWVMF); and Chosin Few, a group of veterans who served at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.

11) Direct support involves government spending, while indirect support refers to a form of support that does not
involve government spending but supports the USFK in a way that helps save the forces’ financial resources.
12) Refer to Appendix 17, “Direct and Indirect Financial Support for the Stationing of the USFK” (p.382) for details.

180 Chapter 5 Development of the ROK–U.S. Alliance, and Expansion of Defense Exchanges and Cooperation