UNJournal Jon Lee |  Representatives of the Republic of Korea and the United States of America held the 205th Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Joint Committee Meeting at Camp Humphreys, Pyeongtaek, on 12 December, 2025. The ROK delegation was led by Director-General Hong Jeepio, North American Affairs Bureau, the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The U.S. delegation was led by Lieutenant General David R. Iverson, Deputy Commander, United States Forces Korea.

During the discussions, the two sides reaffirmed the seven decade-long ROK-U.S. partnership, recognized the importance of the ROK-U.S. SOFA as a force enabler, and committed to supporting the evolution of the ROK-U.S. Alliance into a future-oriented, comprehensive strategic alliance in the face of an evolving regional security environment.

The 205th Joint Committee acknowledged 24 months of active consultations on various alliance issues such as civil-military relations, environmental management, immigration, and the protection of U.S. military installations. The ROK and the U.S. also agreed to expedite the ROK-U.S. SOFA consultations related to the relocation and return of U.S. military bases in the ROK in accordance with the ROK-U.S. SOFA and related agreements.

The ROK and the U.S. representatives recognized the Noise Mitigation Subcommittee’s efforts toward the second comprehensive noise evaluation survey to assess the impact of military operations on surrounding communities and their residents. Both sides agreed that various civil-military projects serve as a strong bridge connecting the peoples of the two countries and further consolidating the ROK-U.S. Alliance. The two representatives also spoke highly of the Disease Prevention and Control Subcommittee’s collaboration on actively exchanging information and policy consultations about infectious disease prevention and control.

Finally, the two representatives, emphasizing that the ROK-U.S. SOFA remains a critical component of the ROK-U.S. Alliance, agreed to continue to closely discuss issues related to SOFA.