News Stories - Page 5

Quarantine no longer required for international arrivals
June 8, 2022 — As of June 8, USFK aligned its arrival entry requirements with ROK policy. All SOFA-affiliated international arrivals, regardless of vaccination status, shall not be subject to quarantine. ... MORE

USFK Adjusts to HPCON Alpha
June 2, 2022 — Based on United States Forces Korea’s assessment of the low COVID community level in South Korea, USFK will adjust its health protection condition to “Alpha,” peninsula-wide, effective Thursday, June 2... MORE

USFK COVID Arrival Update
June 2, 2022 — As of Monday, May 23, 2022, South Korea implemented updated entry requirements for off-peninsula arrivals. All travelers - both new arrivals and returnees - must possess a negative PCR test within 2 days before the departure date or a negative antigen test performed by a medical professional within 1 day before departure... MORE

USFK aligns with ROK for arrival quarantine policy
June 2, 2022 — Beginning June 1, USFK implemented the following entry requirements for all arrivals to align with recent ROK policy changes: SOFA-affiliated, fully vaccinated individuals and children under 12 years old traveling with a fully vaccinated guardian are exempt from quarantine. ... MORE

USFK adjusts mask regulations on installations for USFK-affiliated personnel
April 25, 2022 — Based on South Korean COVID-19 numbers meeting the Department of Defense “medium” level, mask wear is no longer required within USFK installations, HQs, and unit facilities. Please follow your installation/garrison commander directives for how this affects high traffic indoor community areas such as the commissary, exchange, shoppettes, banks, gyms, libraries and other common areas. You must adhere to ROKG guidance on mask wear when off-installation and in combined US-ROK military work areas... MORE

USFK adjusts to HPCON Bravo
April 19, 2022 — USFK adjusted its Health Protection Condition from “Bravo Plus” to “Bravo,” beginning Thursday, April 21 at 6 a.m. Authorized off-installation activities include seated dining at restaurants, indoor malls, theaters, amusement parks and festivals, overnight stays, and any other indoor and outdoor activity currently authorized within the ROK guidelines. Along with these activities, off-installation bars, clubs, saunas, spas, bathhouses, karaoke establishments and any facility that restricts entry to adults only is authorized for FULLY VACCINATED individuals... MORE

Public Health Emergency Declaration on USFK Installations Renewed
April 10, 2022 — The USFK Commander has renewed the current Public Health Emergency Declaration. It will remain in effect for 90 days after issue date, unless it is renewed or terminated before then... MORE

USFK adjusts HPCON Bravo Plus measures to align with ROK policies
March 23, 2022 — USFK adjusted its Health Protection Condition Bravo Plus mitigation measures to align with existing Republic of Korea policies and have lifted all travel restrictions to Seoul, beginning Thursday, March 24 at 6 a.m. until Thursday, April 21 at 6 a.m. All other HPCON B+ measures remain in effect... MORE

USFK aligns with ROK for arrival quarantine policy for fully vaccinated individuals
March 21, 2022 — Effective immediately, based on recent Republic of Korea policy changes regarding international arrivals, all fully vaccinated international arrivals and children under 6 years old are no longer required to quarantine... MORE

Old Soldiers Never Die: USFK Command Sgt. Maj. retires after 36 years
March 17, 2022 — Entering a senior enlisted advisor’s office is like stepping back in time. To a junior service member, it might resemble a museum with memorabilia and placards, undoubtedly supported by countless shared memories of places he once called home. Photos of old friends at military school graduations, shadowboxes full of medals and parting gifts, and challenge coins neatly positioned everywhere; every corner has a story... MORE

Portrait of Command Sgt. Major Walter A. Tagalicud when he was a U.S. Army Pvt. in front of a U.S. flag.

Taking A ‘Bite’ Out of Decoy Training
March 11, 2022 — This week the U.S. Army 503/903 Combined Military Working Dog Detachment held a joint 3-day training event with the handlers of the U.S. Air Force 51st Fighter Wing Security Forces Squadron at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys. During Decoy Training, Military Working Dogs are encouraged to bite a “decoy target,” while a handler wears a protective ‘bite shirt’ or ‘wrap’ acting as the assailant... MORE

Airman watches instructor who holds the leash of the military working dog who is leaping toward a soldier wearing a protective bit shirt, mouth open and ready to bite the arm.

USFK adjusts HPCON Bravo Plus measures to align with ROK policies
February 9, 2022 — Based on the downward trend of the COVID virus within our formations, installations and communities, and to balance mission readiness with the health and well-being of our affiliated community, USFK will adjust its Health Protection Condition Bravo Plus mitigation measures to align with existing Republic of Korea policies beginning Friday, February 11 at noon... MORE

USFK aligns to ROK for mandatory arrival quarantine policy
February 7, 2022 — Based on recent ROK policy changes regarding international arrivals, and regardless of vaccination status, all will now be subject to a mandatory 7-day quarantine. Note: This is a change from the previous 10-day mandatory quarantine period that was in effect on Dec. 3... MORE

Negative COVID-19 PCR test required for all overseas arrivals update
January 14, 2022 — Beginning Thursday, January 20, 2022, South Korea will implement stricter entry requirements for off-peninsula arrivals: All travelers - both new arrivals and returnees - must possess a negative PCR test within 48 hours before the departure date; be advised the PCR test must be performed and the certificate must be issued within the same 48-hour period of departure. Additionally, children under the age of 6 (on the date of arrival) are exempt from this requirement, if all travelers possesses a valid negative PCR test... MORE

Public Health Emergency Declaration on USFK Installations Renewed
January 10, 2022 — The USFK Commander has renewed the current Public Health Emergency Declaration. It will remain in effect for 90 days after issue date, unless it is renewed or terminated before then... MORE

USFK Implements HPCON Bravo Plus
January 7, 2022 — Due to the continued presence of COVID-19 within United States Forces Korea and South Korea, USFK has increased its health protection condition to “Bravo Plus” peninsula-wide effective January 8, 2022 at 12 p.m. until April 21, 2022 at 6 a.m. Unauthorized off-installation activities include seated dining at restaurants, indoor malls, bars, clubs, gyms, amusement parks, theaters, massage parlors, saunas, spas or festivals. Authorized activities include emergency services, medical care, pharmacy, schools and daycare, grocery shopping, life, health and safety, shopping, and religious services among other activities. Due to the associated risk of potential exposure to the virus, travel to Seoul is prohibited except for official duties or for individuals who live or work in Seoul. ... MORE

USFK implements mandatory 10-day quarantine
December 3, 2021 — Due to the confirmation of the COVID-19 omicron variant in the Republic of Korea, and to align with the ROK government’s COVID initiative requiring all international arrivals (including incoming USFK-affiliated personnel) undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine regardless of vaccination status, USFK will implement the same quarantine requirement for its affiliated community effective today until further notice... MORE

Lessons Learned as a Civilian Supervisor
November 17, 2021 — Ms. Jacqueline Leeker, the USFK Public Affairs Deputy Director, and winner of the 2021 USFK's Civilian Employee of the Year Award for Manager of the Year, talks about leadership and the best advice she has received over the years about management. What is written in this article are Ms. Leeker's thoughts and opinions and does not reflect the opinions of USFK... MORE

Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, UNC/CFC/USFK commander, and USFK Command Sgt. Maj. Walter A. Tagalicud, stand with Ms. Jacqueline Leeker, the U.S. Manager of the Year recipient for the 2021 USFK Civilian Employee of the Year Award Ceremony at Riverbend Golf Course on Nov. 17, 2021. (U.S. Army photos by PFC Kim, Sang-Heon)

USFK removes IR-based travel restrictions
November 5, 2021 — Effective immediately, due to increased vaccination rates among USFK-affiliated and ROK populations, and to better align with the ROK government’s “Living with COVID-19” initiatives, USFK is removing all existing travel restrictions within the ROK for its affiliated communities. Future travel restrictions will now be implemented the USFK Component Commands to mitigate risk to their formations; please see your or your sponsor’s chain of command/supervisor on how this change in policy effects you... MORE

USFK adjusts Health Monitoring Status for fully vaccinated personnel
October 18, 2021 — Effective immediately, as the rates of fully vaccinated individuals continue to increase for both USFK and ROK, USFK has adjusted its Health Monitoring Status (formerly known as working quarantine) for fully vaccinated personnel to align with ROK arrival quarantine procedures... MORE