Kim Dong-yeon Meets Commanding General of U.S. Eighth Army, Says "Soldiers of Eighth Army Are Also Gyeonggi Residents"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Kap-dong] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with newly appointed U.S. Eighth Army Commanding General Christopher LaNeve and said he would work to strengthen mutual cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and the Eighth Army and support the stable settlement of U.S. troops stationed in Korea within the province.

Governor Kim met with Commanding General Christopher LaNeve at the Provincial Government Building on the 17th and said, "I think the soldiers in the Eighth Army are all fellow Gyeonggi residents like us," and "I will strive to fulfill the role that Gyeonggi Province can play in improving the quality of life for Eighth Army soldiers and strengthening cooperative relationships with our residents."

He continued, "We are concerned about the escalating tensions recently on the Korean Peninsula, and as governor of Gyeonggi Province, which borders North Korea, we are taking various countermeasures," and requested, "The Korea-U.S. alliance is the central pillar of South Korea's diplomatic strategy. We deeply appreciate the role of the Eighth Army, and we ask that you continue to work for peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia."

In response, Commanding General Christopher LaNeve said, "On behalf of the Eighth Army, I appreciate Gyeonggi Province's support and warm welcome," and "It feels like we have become part of the local community. I look forward to spending more time together."

Commanding General Christopher LaNeve took office on April 5. After graduating from Arizona State University, he was commissioned in 1990 and has served as commander of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division and chief of operations at the Army Forces Command.

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province annually hosts policy forums to strengthen communication and cooperation among U.S. forces stationed in Korea and share information. The province is also promoting various Korea-U.S. exchange and cooperation projects, including Korean language, history, and culture education as well as security and cultural experiences, to help U.S. service members stationed in the province and their families adapt to the local community.