Participants in an education conference for the KDVA-Korea Chapter pose at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of KDVA-Korea Chapter

By Kang Seung-woo

The Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA)-Korea Chapter held an education conference, Wednesday, to encourage U.S. soldiers along with KATUSA soldiers to explore the direction, development and importance of the Korea-U.S. alliance.

According to the organization, the KDVA Alliance Education Conference took place at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, with some 100 participants, including KDVA-Korea Chapter President Lee Seo-young and Eighth Army Deputy Commanding General for Sustainment Brig. Gen. Joseph D'costa.

"The Korea-U.S. alliance and the combined defense system are the foundation of the defense of the Republic of Korea," Lee said in his welcoming speech.

"In a situation where North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities continue to advance, I hope that U.S. forces will maintain a high level of combat readiness to deter North Korean provocations and work hard to strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance."

D'costa said he was proud of carrying out combined operations with Korea, adding that the Eighth U.S. Army had been trained thoroughly to be ready to fight tonight and win.

Ihn Yo-han, or Dr. John Linton, the first special naturalized Korean citizen in 2012, gave a lecture speaking about how the Korea-U.S. alliance had greatly contributed to the development and defense of Korea, which suffered terribly because of the 1950-53 Korean War.

The KDVA-Korea Chapter has held the conference annually at USAG Humphreys or Osan Air Base to stress the importance of the bilateral alliance, which was forged from the three-year conflict.

The KDVA, founded in 2017, is a nonprofit organization based in Virginia that advocates the Korea-U.S. alliance by supporting former and current military service members.