S. Korean Air Force officer gets U.S. medal

SEOUL, Feb. 10 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean Air Force officer will be honored with a medal from the U.S. government for his contribution to enhancing the two countries' combined air defense system, officials here said Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Kim Boo-guk is credited with the contribution made while serving as the
planning officer of the Korea-U.S. combined air force exercises in 2002-2004 and
as the Korean liaison officer at U.S. Central Command for two years from 2004,
the South Korean Air Force said in a press release.
Kim was to receive the Meritorious Service Medal -- a rare honor given to a
noncombatant, foreign officer -- from the 7th Air Force commander Lt. Gen.
Jeffrey Remington later in the day.
The U.S. 7th Air Force, operating about 45 aircrafts currently, is located in
Osan, about 80 kilometers south of Seoul.
"I am surprised and happy," the South Korean officer was quoted as saying by the
Air Force. "I have always carried out my duties believing the combined air
defense power of South Korea and the United States is the key factor to the
outcome of a war."
About 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea to deter communist
North Korea and other potential security risks.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)