SEOUL, South Korea - U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan invited Korean National Police to the KNP appreciation event in order to recognize them for their service in protecting our community, Nov. 7.
Four buses rolled into the Garrison carrying 100 KNP who would visit the Garrison for the day.
The day’s event started off with a light breakfast consisting of doughnuts and coffee served at the commissary parking lot. Following breakfast, KNP were given a quick windshield tour of the Garrison before being dropped off at the Multipurpose Training Facility movie theater to watch a movie clip depicting the U.S.-R.O.K. alliance. The clip briefly covered the involvement of the U.S. in aiding South Korea during the Korean War and the alliance that has continued since then.
KNP were then greeted by Yongsan Garrison Commander Col. William P. Huber, who expressed his thanks to the KNP in his opening remarks.
“It is my pleasure and honor to join you for today’s KNP appreciation event and welcome you to USAG Yongsan,” Huber said. “The service members, families and civilians you protect owe you a debt of gratitude.”
Huber described his appreciation for the Garrison and city’s current conditions, and stated that it was his duty “not only to make Korea the ‘assignment of choice,’ but to make Yongsan the ‘community of choice.’”
As a person dedicated to improving the community, he recognized the crucial role that the KNP played in making the environment safe and thanked them for their service to the Yongsan community.
“To address crime, I have been an outspoken advocate for the KNP. You all are the single most important piece to solving the crime puzzle. To revive Yongsan’s urban core it is absolutely critical to reduce crime. Every single one of you will help in this endeavor. With your help, I know we will succeed,” Huber stated.
After welcoming the KNP, Huber awarded certificates of appreciation to five select members who were recognized for their excellent service in working with the Garrison to protect the community.
Awardees included Senior Police Officer Jin Jeong-mi, Police Officer Jeong Dong-hyun, Police Officer Seong Gi-tak, Police Sgt. Lee Sung-rok, and Police Sgt. Lee Chan-jong who were all recognized for their exemplary work in protecting both the R.O.K. and U.S. forces assigned to the Garrison.
Following the awarding of the certificates, KNP resumed their tour of the Garrison by having lunch at the dining facility and watching a movie at the MPTF movie theater. In short, KNP were given the opportunity to enjoy the facilities in the community they work to protect everyday.
The KNP are invited to the Garrison multiple times each year in appreciation for their service to the community.