It is going to be interesting to see how well this is implemented:
Beginning Oct. 1, U.S. Forces Korea will require South Koreans to prove they are part of the Good Neighbor Program to renew their guest passes to U.S. military bases.
Approximately 5,100 South Korean guest pass holders will be affected by the peninsula-wide change, which is designed to increase security and eliminate the practice of “buying” passes.
“Our old practice allowed anyone who was a member of a recognized friendship organization to gain access to USFK bases. In some cases, the pass holder was merely someone buying base access through the payment of (an organization’s) membership,” a statement on the policy changes said.
Under the current policy, South Korean organizations can submit the names of members who do community relations work on base and, with military approval, get yearlong passes that allow them to enter bases unescorted.
The new command policy will require South Koreans to document their work in USFK’s Good Neighbor Program and require them to have higher-ranking U.S. military sponsors who know them personally.
Passes will be called “Good Neighbor passes” instead of guest passes.
How come I have the feeling that the slot machines and golf courses will still be filled with Korean civilains? However, instead of being part of a "friendship organization" they will be considered "Good Neighbors".
Popularity: 3%
6:29 pm on August 9th, 2007 1
now … now … you’re being a tad cynical - LOL
8:02 pm on August 9th, 2007 2
The best part was…
““There’s nothing that generated this. It’s just an improvement to the policy,” said USFK spokesman David Oten.”
Uh-huh.
It wouldn’t have anything to do with the recent snooping around at Osan that revealed more guest passes to shady characters than all other posts and bases in the ROK combined… which has spawned a number of unanswerable questions.
The Ghost of Brigadier General Forsyth rattles his rusty chains. I wonder if this will affect the second star he is just about to get… or if the “system” will take all the blame.
J!
9:10 pm on August 9th, 2007 3
You are absolutely right about nothing really changing. Every “Good Neighbor Pass” holder is entitled to sign on his three guests who only need to give an ID to the Pass & ID section to gain access to the entire post. It is lip service at best. The MWR funds are too important.
10:08 pm on August 9th, 2007 4
It’s more difficult for an American service member, civilian, contractor or family member to get on post than it is for a Korean “Good Friend” or whatever (plus 3 buddies). Golf courses are the biggest security threat in USFK.
10:13 pm on August 9th, 2007 5
Gotta do it again. I get riled up on this subject:
Ahhh yes. There must be a golf course! I wrote this some time ago, and post it as required. I remind you…
I am the Korean Golfer.
I will be given access to post for myself and my buddies to use the MWR facilities.
You will be questioned if you are driving another SOFA members legally registered car on-post. I can drive anything I like.
I will not be harassed or impeded in any way. After all, I have a tee time.
I spit on you lowly US citizens that are active duty, GS, contractor or family members (especially the Russians and Filipinas) for you will be asked for 2 forms of ID, miss stoplights while taxi trunks are viewed etc. While I am waved through.
I may also wish to play the slot machines while I roam about post unescorted and unmonitored.
I do not work on your post.
While the “enemy” on this penninsula looks like me and can easily talk like me, YOU the pasty white man with blonde hair and your filipina wife will be the ones that have to be inspected and answer idiotic questions at the gate.
My Kung Fu is strong!
My servers at the club always get my order right and my service is timely.
You will take what you get, and like it, long-nose.
I (somehow) buy golf clubs and supplies in the pro shop.
I am beyond reproach.
I have a tee time at a decent hour.
These facilties are for ME.
10:14 pm on August 9th, 2007 6
Hmmm…sounds like the field grades wanted a share of the revenue. Good Neighbors indeed. My crystal ball sees more spouses and gyopo officers rolling in German or Japanese luxury cars in the future.
“Senior Friendships” and “Good Neighbor” documentation will be bought and sold on Naver and Daum sites.
11:52 pm on August 9th, 2007 7
I really don’t mind having a limited number of locals on base, but….could they have a shower requirement? I mean, after hanging out with the locals for a few hours I cannot get the kimchi smell out of my clothes. It is worse than cigar smoke! I feel like carrying around a can of Renuzit and spraying those little odor factories with it.
2:14 am on August 10th, 2007 8
10:28 pm on August 12th, 2007 9
Interesting observation equalizer.
Once I walked into the Imperial Palace hotel in vegas by mistake and it reeked of cigar smell.
12:50 pm on August 17th, 2007 10
[...] and Stripes article about the new installation access policy for Korean civilians that I covered here. Reading the letter it appears General Bell’s main beef with the Stars and Stripes is that [...]
5:04 pm on January 30th, 2008 11
[...] kept secret in USFK that was indirectly promoting corruption. Last year’s change in the civilian access policy was supposed to stop this activity, but obviously it did not. The fact that they have to do 100% [...]