SOFA Meetings Likely to Follow Summit Talks

Talks between Korea and the U.S. to revise the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) will probably be held after the inter-Korean summit talks, a high-level U.S. official said.

During a press conference with reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the offcial said, "Orders from Washington to start talks on SOFA will arrive soon. The Korean government will need time to check the American pact."

The official said that Korea's main interest during the talks will be on the jurisdiction of U.S. Army criminal suspects and on the timing of the transfer of suspected criminals. He added that the U.S. was ready to talk about the problems with U.S. Army bases and training grounds.

Commenting on problems with the U.S. Air Force's Koon-ni range in Maehyang-ri, the official said a joint Korea-U.S. investigation showed that minimal damage was done to residents and that the pilots of the A-10s had followed safety procedures required in an emergency.

On North Korea's weapons, "Korea, U.S. and Japan will cooperate in the eradication of weapons of mass destruction in the North."

The issue of U.S. troops in South Korea is something that Korean and U.S. governments have to discuss, without North Korea. The official said that the U.S. has never discussed the matter with North Korea.

by Choi Hoon