U.S. agrees to the need for SOFA revision

The United States Government has sent a letter on sunday through the U.S. Embassy in Korea to the Speaker of the National Assembly Lee Man-Sub agreeing to the resolution adopted by the Korean National Assembly on July 31st urging for the comprehensive overhaul of the Status of Force Agreement.

The acting U.S. Secretary of State Thomas R. Pickering stated that the U.S. shared the view of the Korean National Assembly`s resolution that the revision of SOFA could promote Korea-U.S. bilateral relationship. He added that the U.S. would pursue a revision which would meet the needs and the concerns of both nations` governments and people. He personally added that he understood the concerns and worries of the Korean people and government. He explained that although the Status Of Forces Agreement(SOFA) agreement with Korea differs with those for other nations, the difference results from the various factors of the nations including legal and historical factors as well as others.

Song issong@donga.com