U.S. Willing to Revise the Status of Forces Agreement

The United States government on September 3 expressed its intention to revise the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in a way that is "satisfactory to both the Republic of Korea and the United States and that takes into account both sides' concerns." The statement was part of a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Lee Man-sup.

The letter written by Under Secretary for Political Affairs Thomas R. Pickering is an official response to the National Assembly's July 31 'Resolution on a Comprehensive Revision of the SOFA.'

Pickering further wrote: "I fully agree with the National Assembly that a SOFA revision will further improve already friendly relations between the United States and the Republic of Korea. I sincerely hope that the negotiation on SOFA revision will continue to progress."

The Under Secretary noted that his response was drafted under orders by U.S. President Clinton.

by Lee Sang-il