Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon (left) warmly shakes hands with the new U.S. 8th Army Commander Christopher LaNeve on the 17th.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with Christopher LaNeve, the new commander of the U.S. Eighth Army, and stated that he would work to strengthen mutual cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and the U.S. Eighth Army and support the stable settlement of U.S. forces stationed in the province.
On the 17th, Governor Kim met Commander Christopher LaNeve at the provincial office and said, "I consider the soldiers in the U.S. Eighth Army as fellow residents of Gyeonggi Province," adding, "We will do our best to fulfill Gyeonggi Province’s role in improving the quality of life for soldiers belonging to the U.S. Eighth Army and fostering cooperative relations with our residents."
He continued, "I am concerned about the recent rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and as the governor of Gyeonggi Province bordering North Korea, I am taking various measures," and added, "The ROK-U.S. alliance is the central pillar of South Korea’s diplomatic strategy. I deeply appreciate the role of the U.S. Eighth Army and ask that you continue your efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia."
In response, Commander Christopher LaNeve said, "On behalf of the U.S. Eighth Army, I thank Gyeonggi Province for its support and warm welcome," adding, "I feel like a member of the local community and look forward to working together in the future."
Commander Christopher LaNeve assumed command on April 5. After graduating from Arizona State University, he was commissioned in 1990 and has served as commander of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division and chief of operations staff at the Army Futures Command.
Gyeonggi Province holds policy forums annually to enhance communication, cooperation, and information sharing with U.S. forces stationed in Korea.
To help U.S. military personnel and their families adapt to the local community, the province also promotes various ROK-U.S. exchange cooperation projects, including Korean language, history, and culture education, as well as security culture experiences.
Meanwhile, Governor Kim Dong-yeon invited Philip S. Goldberg, the U.S. Ambassador to Korea, and then U.S. Eighth Army Commander Willard M. Burleson III to watch the professional baseball opening game at Suwon KT Wiz Park in April last year, fostering exchanges.
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