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The U.S. military will interview all Koreans who have been granted passes onto U.S. military bases here, amid an investigation by police into two men for illegal issuing of passes.
The Stars and Stripes reports that the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command said it has made “internal changes” to how it issues passes through the U.S. Forces Korea’s Good Neighbor program.
The 8th Army’s logistic support arm said all civilians who have required passes through the Good Neighbor Program will be interviewed by March 2.
“Those pass holders (who do not attend an interview) will undergo further review and possible suspension,” said the command in a press release.
The move comes after two men are being investigated by police here for providing and selling passes onto a U.S. military base. The U.S. military is also investigating a community relations specialist who illegally sold passes while working for the command.
Police report that the men issued the passes under the pretense of the Good Neighbor Program, awarded to civilians who have improved relations between the U.S. and Korea.
According to the U.S. military’s daily newspaper, the Criminal Investigation Command will conduct the interviews to determine whether the passes were validly issued.
“The (program) details are restricted from the public to preserve the integrity of the investigation,” said the 19th ESC.
“All efforts to diligently bring closure to the investigation are under way.”
The USFK also said “we are in the process of reviewing Good Neighbor passes to ensure they are in compliance with the program’s policies and regulation.”
According to police the reserve officer and his acquaintance are being questioned regarding allegations that they provided passes onto the Yongsan Garrison for amounts ranging from 200,000 won ($180) to 3.3 million won since 2006.
Police say the reserve officer and his associate, a special assistant for international relations for a former USFK commander, provided passes to 81 people until June, with the reserve officer pocketing some 50 million won.
It is reported that some 6,000 passes have been granted through the program.
By Robert Lee (robert@heraldcorp.com)
The Stars and Stripes reports that the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command said it has made “internal changes” to how it issues passes through the U.S. Forces Korea’s Good Neighbor program.
The 8th Army’s logistic support arm said all civilians who have required passes through the Good Neighbor Program will be interviewed by March 2.
“Those pass holders (who do not attend an interview) will undergo further review and possible suspension,” said the command in a press release.
The move comes after two men are being investigated by police here for providing and selling passes onto a U.S. military base. The U.S. military is also investigating a community relations specialist who illegally sold passes while working for the command.
Police report that the men issued the passes under the pretense of the Good Neighbor Program, awarded to civilians who have improved relations between the U.S. and Korea.
According to the U.S. military’s daily newspaper, the Criminal Investigation Command will conduct the interviews to determine whether the passes were validly issued.
“The (program) details are restricted from the public to preserve the integrity of the investigation,” said the 19th ESC.
“All efforts to diligently bring closure to the investigation are under way.”
The USFK also said “we are in the process of reviewing Good Neighbor passes to ensure they are in compliance with the program’s policies and regulation.”
According to police the reserve officer and his acquaintance are being questioned regarding allegations that they provided passes onto the Yongsan Garrison for amounts ranging from 200,000 won ($180) to 3.3 million won since 2006.
Police say the reserve officer and his associate, a special assistant for international relations for a former USFK commander, provided passes to 81 people until June, with the reserve officer pocketing some 50 million won.
It is reported that some 6,000 passes have been granted through the program.
By Robert Lee (robert@heraldcorp.com)
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Articles by Korea Herald
