Seoul mayor invites U.S. forces on special tour of Seoul

SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- A group of 120 South Korean and U.S. troops here were
invited to a special tour around Seoul Wednesday by the city's mayor, including a
rare visit to the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae, the South Korea-U.S.
Combined Forces Command (CFC) said.
"The event has been organized to mark the 30th anniversary of the foundation of
the CFC and in recognition of service by South Korean and U.S. forces," the CFC
said in a press release. "It is also expected to help improve ties between the
CFC and Seoul city."
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon hosted the event.
The tour began early Wednesday with a trip to the presidential office, where the
troops were scheduled to tour areas rarely open to public viewing.
The group also visits the Sejong Center for Performing Arts, where they will meet
with Oh for lunch and view a special musical performance. CFC commander Gen.
Walter Sharp and the South Korean deputy commander of the CFC, Gen. Lee
Sung-chool, will also be in attendance.
About 28,000 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, which technically remains
at war with communist North Korea.
The CFC was established Nov. 7, 1978, but is set to be dismantled in 2012 when
Seoul reclaims wartime operational control of its troops from Washington, after
which the U.S. commander of the CFC will have control over American troops only.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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