MOFA Launches 7th WeGo Supporters to Boost ROK-US Alliance

The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) held a launch ceremony for the 7th term of its WeGo Supporters program on Friday, April 10, underscoring its commitment to strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between Korean citizens and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) personnel.

The name “WeGo” is derived from the “We Go Together” motto, a foundational slogan of the Republic of Korea (ROK)-U.S. alliance. Initiated in 2020, the program annually selects young individuals to promote goodwill and public diplomacy. This year, 20 members were chosen from approximately 80 applicants, comprising both Korean nationals and U.S. citizens residing in Korea, demonstrating high interest in fostering ROK-U.S. relations.

During the launch ceremony, Hong Ji-pyo, Director-General of MOFA’s North American Affairs Bureau, delivered a welcoming address. He highlighted the ROK-U.S. alliance’s continuous evolution into a comprehensive strategic partnership, built on public trust and consensus. Director-General Hong urged the 7th WeGo Supporters to actively participate and contribute to the future of this vital alliance.

The newly appointed supporters will engage in diverse online and offline activities designed to deepen their understanding of the ROK-U.S. alliance’s significance. Their program includes visits to key alliance-related sites, such as U.S. Army Garrison Camp Humphreys – one of the largest overseas U.S. military bases – and participation in exchange events with USFK service members. They will also produce engaging social media content to share their experiences and insights with the wider public through channels like Instagram (sofacenter_kr), YouTube (rokus-sofa), and Naver Blog (sofacenter).

Beyond the WeGo Supporters program, MOFA continues its efforts to facilitate robust civilian-military exchanges. This includes operating SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) Civilian Support Centers in Seoul and Pyeongtaek, as well as convening the SOFA Civilian-Military Relations Subcommittee. These initiatives collectively aim to ensure continuous interaction and positive relations between the Korean public and USFK personnel.

Source: 외교부 보도자료 — Original Article (Korean)