SOUTH KOREA
06.04.2025
Story by Capt. Ana Chiu
U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Korea
Maj. Gen. William E. Souza relinquished command of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea to Maj. Gen. Valerie A. Jackson at 9 a.m. on June 5, 2025, at Barker Field, Camp Humphreys. The change of command was presided over by Gen. Brunson, Commander of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea.
“Today is more than a ceremonial passing of colors, it is a visible reminder that the joint combined initiative in Korea continues,” said Gen. Brunson.
Maj. Gen. Souza's tenure as the MARFORK Commander was marked by significant advancements in readiness and cooperation with Allies. Under his leadership, MARFORK set conditions for the successful execution of U.S. Marine Corps forces in numerous bilateral and multilateral exercises throughout the Republic of Korea including Ulchi Freedom Shield, Korean Marine Exchange Program and SSang Yong. These efforts were key in contributing to deterrence efforts and strengthening partnerships through diverse operations and exercises.
“This isn’t a steady state mission, it is a forward position of deterrence in the region that is always moving. It demands leaders who can read the terrain anticipate threats and never wait for the ideal conditions to come about,” said Gen. Brunson. “Maj. Gen. Souza has done just that, and Maj. Gen. Jackson is just the right leader to carry it forward.”
Maj. Gen. Jackson most recently served as the commanding general of 4th Marine Logistics Group and previously assumed her first general officer position as deputy commander at II Marine Expeditionary Force in March 2022, and deployed to Combined-Joint Task Force Horn of Africa as the Deputy Commanding General in January of 2023.
“Our partnership is grounded in strength and is underscored by our commitment to each other, to our shared values and to regional stability,” Maj. Gen. Jackson said. “Together, our shared vision will undoubtedly yield remarkable achievements.”
Relinquishing command, Maj. Gen. Souza thanked everyone not only for attending the ceremony but also for the lasting friendships that have been developed through the strength of the ROK-U.S. Alliance. He ended his remarks with the time-tested motto “Katchi Kapshida” and “Semper Fidelis.”
U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea was established in 1995 in Seoul, Republic of Korea, MARFORK serves as the U.S. Marine Corps service component to United States Forces Korea and United Nations Command with the mission of overseeing and ensuring the readiness of Marine Corps forces on the Korean Peninsula, strengthening interoperability with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps and supporting combined and joint exercises.