About the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) handles the diplomatic aspects of Korean government. According to their website:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was inaugurated according to the Government Organization Act, enacted and put into enforcement on July 17, 1948, to be in charge of foreign policy, external economic policy, protection of overseas Korean nationals, assessment of international relations and overseas public relations.
In accordance with such a mission, MOFA diplomants also support US Military bases located within South Korea. Such US military and associated persons live in South Korea on ‘SOFA Status’.
About the SOFA Status
The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) began in 1966. The document outlines how the United States and South Korea work together as a military alliance. The SOFA agreement may be viewed below. You may read the SOFA information by downloading the following pdf:
Such an agreement allows US Soldiers, their dependents, associated DODEA employees, and military contractors to live in South Korea without establishing South Korean residency. Instead, they live in Korea on SOFA Status.
About the MOFA SOFA Center in Pyeongtaek
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs relocated their a diplomatic office that supports SOFA status individuals to Pyeongtaek. They call such an office the SOFA Center. This occurred since the 8th Army relocated from Seoul to Camp Humphreys. The SOFA Center exists as one of the only diplomatic assignments in Korea outside of Seoul.
The MOFA SOFA Center works with organizations which support those living in Pyeongtaek on SOFA status. This includes providing financial support and coordinating how different organizations work together to accomplish specific initiatives.
South of Seoul’s Relationship with the SOFA Center
The MOFA SOFA Center reached out to South of Seoul volunteers soon after relocating to Pyeongtaek. Since that time, South of Seoul has worked closely with the MOFA SOFA center on various initiatives. Such initiative include the promotion of 1330 as a resource, the documentation and clarification of ‘Confirmation of COVID-19 Verification‘, Everyday English phrase books, local market tours, recruitment of ‘We Go Supporters’, and more.
South of Seoul volunteers deeply appreciate the access to information provided by the MOFA SOFA Center. The Center’s support means that South of Seoul can provide increasingly accurate and informative information.
Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group
You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier.
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
