By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter

The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) will allow Korean students to enroll at schools in its camp.

USFK Commander Gen. Walter Sharp said that Korean students, who are not affiliated with USFK personnel, will be allowed to attend a newly-built school in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, which will house a new centralized U.S. base here.

During a meeting with Korean lawmakers of the National Assembly Defense Committee, last Friday, the top American military officer here said not only some 8,000 children of USFK workers, but also ordinary Korean students will be able to enroll in the school, MBC TV reported.

Sharp was quoted as saying that its new schools will accept Korean students up to 15-20 percent of the total admission quota. South Korea and the U.S. have agreed to complete the relocation of the U.S. military headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul to an expanded military base in Pyeongtaek by 2014.

However, the education ministry said it would be impossible for Korean nationals to enroll in the army schools under the Education Law.

``It is illegal for Korean students to attend American schools here,'' said Sung Sam-je, director of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. ``If the USFK wants to enroll Korean students in its schools, we have to revise the law.''

In the meantime, the USFK chief is scheduled to visit Education Minister Ahn Byong-man on Feb 20.

According to ministry officials, the USFK Commander is expected to discuss the eligibility of Korean students at the U.S. schools with the top educator.

kswho@koreatims.co.kr