Military veterans' groups join hands to help bolster Korea-US relations

Korea Defense Veterans Association President Vincent Brooks, center, and KATUSA Veterans Association Chairman Kim Hae-sung, fourth from left, pose at the Millennium Hilton Hotel in Seoul, Wednesday, after signing a memorandum of understanding to work together to enhance the bilateral alliance between Korea and the United States. Third from right is Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin. Courtesy of KATUSA Veterans Association

By Kang Seung-woo

The Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) and the KATUSA Veterans Association (KVA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together to enhance the bilateral alliance between Korea and the United States.

KATUSA stands for Korean Augmentation to the United States Army. Under the program, Korean soldiers are given posts in U.S. military bases in the country.

The agreement was signed between KDVA President Vincent Brooks, former U.S. Forces Korea commander, and KVA Chairman Kim Hae-sung at the Millennium Hilton Hotel in Seoul, Wednesday.

According to the MOU, the two organizations will bolster cooperation in areas promoting the well-being of veterans and supporting the Korea-U.S. alliance by jointly setting up programs to facilitate education, discussion, exchanges, and research topics of interest to promote understanding between them.

Also, the two organizations will carry out joint charitable programs to honor and remember the sacrifices of armed forces personnel in Korea.

Understanding the need for regular communications or meetings on activities, they plan to hold phone or Zoom calls one or twice a year.

"I strongly believe that this MOU will commit us to work together more closely toward the next level. We will pursue many significant activities and events, such as forums, community fundraising events, charity activities and group programs to strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance," the KVA chairman said.

Currently, the Wall of Remembrance is being built in Washington, D.C. that will display the names of 36,595 U.S. soldiers and 7,174 KATUSA soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 1950-53 Korean War. As part of efforts to enhance the Korea-U.S. alliance, the KVA has raised funds for the construction of the wall, the KVA chief added.

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