Pyeongtaek Mayor Jeong Jang-seon "Welcome Return of USFK Korean Workers"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Pyeongtaek Mayor Jeong Jang-seon stated on the 5th that he welcomes the return to full duty on the 15th of Korean workers at USFK (United States Forces Korea) who are currently on unpaid leave.

The end of the unpaid leave was achieved after the South Korean and U.S. governments agreed to a plan in which South Korea would pay the wages of Korean workers first.

Previously, USFK placed 4,000 Korean workers on unpaid leave beginning in April as negotiations over the South Korea-U.S. defense cost-sharing agreement were delayed.

Mayor Jeong Jang-seon stated, "Korean workers at USFK have supported peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and contributed to the South Korea-U.S. alliance through their essential roles within USFK," and added, "Together with 520,000 Pyeongtaek citizens, I welcome the return to work of Korean workers at USFK who endured difficult times after being notified of the unpaid leave."

He further stated, "I express my gratitude to government officials who made efforts to resolve the matter, including enacting legislation to support Korean workers, and to Commander of USFK Abrams, who has actively worked after multiple suggestions to the U.S. State Department and Department of Defense."

Previously, the city sent letters to related agencies including USFK Command and the Defense Ministry in March, conveying concerns such as weakening of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, and requested support for resolving employment insecurity of Korean workers and achieving an early resolution to the matter.

Meanwhile, Korean workers who entered unpaid leave beginning April 1st due to delayed negotiations over the defense cost-sharing agreement number approximately 1,800 in Pyeongtaek alone (approximately 1,550 at Camp Humphreys, approximately 250 at Pyeongtaek-Osan Air Force Base).