Photo By MUN CHONG | Participants learn and practice samulnori percussion recently as part of the...... read more read more
PYEONGTAEK, South Korea — More than 160 Camp Humphreys community members joined Pyeongtaek citizens on four Saturdays in January to participate in the Pyeongtaek K‑Bridge Program, a cultural exchange initiative designed to help U.S. service members and families adapt to Korean culture and strengthen local community ties.
The Pyeongtaek Institute for Security and Alliance under Pyeongtaek University and Pyeongtaek City hosted the program.
The program aims to support a “people‑centered living alliance” by fostering meaningful interactions between residents of Pyeongtaek and the Camp Humphreys community.
Byung Seok Ahn, a retired four‑star general in the Republic of Korea army and former deputy commander of the ROK–U.S. Combined Forces Command, said bolstering the alliance requires more than military cooperation.
“The ROK–U.S. Alliance is a strategic military alliance, but strengthening it requires a community mindset centered on people,” he said. “I believe the alliance becomes more sustainable and resilient when it is grounded in human relationships.”
He added that the institute developed the K‑Bridge Program to serve as a bridge between Pyeongtaek citizens and Camp Humphreys, the core of Korea’s national defense and the ROK–U.S. Alliance.
The four‑session program rotated through three cultural themes — learning taekwondo, making traditional Korean stamps, and experiencing samulnori percussion — and included shared Korean meals that allowed participants to experience local cuisine as part of the cultural exchange.
Each session brought together 40 Pyeongtaek citizens and 40 Camp Humphreys community members, creating opportunities for natural conversation and cultural interaction.
Sgt. 1st Class Tonga H. Tukumoe’atu, trombone player in the 8th Army Band, said the program offered a meaningful introduction to Korean culture.
“It engaged all aspects — from music and food to martial arts. It was a good variety of experiences in Korean culture,” he said. “The instructors were very engaged and wanted us to learn their topics well.”
Tukumoe’atu said the program also helped build connections between the two communities.
“It does make a bridge because we met Korean participants and were able to learn together,” he said. “There are so many enlightening and symbolic meanings in Korean culture, and continuing this program would help the Humphreys community better understand and adapt to life here.”
He added that he believes the cultural experience programs and tour opportunities offered to the Camp Humphreys community help make Korea an assignment of choice for U.S. service members, noting that events like this allow people to truly experience why Korea is one of the best places to serve in the U.S. military.
| Date Taken: | 02.18.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 02.19.2026 23:53 |
| Story ID: | 558353 |
| Location: | PYEONGTAEK, GYEONGGIDO [KYONGGI-DO], KR |
| Web Views: | 11 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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