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Explore South Korea through ROK Cultural Immersion Program

By
Stripes Korea •
U.S. service members wearing hanbok, Korean traditional attire, in Jeonju Hanok Village.

U.S. service members wearing hanbok, Korean traditional attire, in Jeonju Hanok Village. (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

If you’re stationed in South Korea, don’t miss out on a special opportunity to explore the country through the ROK Cultural Immersion Program. This free tour program, hosted by the Combined Forces Command, allows you to immerse yourself in Korea’s culture, history, nature, cuisine and top attractions with the help of experienced guides in a premium group setting. If you’re single, this is a great chance to make new friends. And if you’re stationed in Korea with your family members, you can bring them along!

The tour program offers more than just fun adventures. You can gain a comprehensive understanding of Korean history, culture, and security from a military perspective. It’s an educational, meaningful, and motivational experience, highlighting why you are serving in South Korea and how your service contributes to the national security of this country.

In early May, I joined a ROK Cultural Immersion Program tour to Jeonju City, Suncheon City and Yeosu City in Jeolla-do Province, located in the southwestern part of the country. Below are the destinations we explored during the two-night, three-day trip:

•Day 1

-West Sea Protection Hall & ROKS PCC-772 Cheonan Memorial Hall

-Jeonju Hanok Village & Wearing hanbok (traditional clothing)

A ROK Navy guide describes naval battles provoked by an attack by North Korea on the NLL (Northern Limit Line), which is the maritime boundary between North Korea and South Korea.

A ROK Navy guide describes naval battles provoked by an attack by North Korea on the NLL (Northern Limit Line), which is the maritime boundary between North Korea and South Korea. (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

U.S. military community members view the remains of Cheonan, a ship split in half after an attack by North Korea in 2010.

U.S. military community members view the remains of Cheonan, a ship split in half after an attack by North Korea in 2010. (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

U.S. military community members view the remains of Cheonan, a ship split in half after an attack by North Korea in 2010.

U.S. military community members view the remains of Cheonan, a ship split in half after an attack by North Korea in 2010. (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

U.S. service members wearing hanbok, Korean traditional attire, in Jeonju Hanok Village.

U.S. service members wearing hanbok, Korean traditional attire, in Jeonju Hanok Village. (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

•Day 2

-Boseong Green Tea field

-Honam Patriots Memorial Hall

-Suncheonman Bay National Garden & Wetland Reserve

-Yeosu Maritime Cable Car

A peaceful father-son moment while strolling in the Suncheonman Wetland Reserve.

A peaceful father-son moment while strolling in the Suncheonman Wetland Reserve. (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

The Yeosu Maritime Cable Car ride offers a breathtaking nighttime view of the city’s coastal beauty.

The Yeosu Maritime Cable Car ride offers a breathtaking nighttime view of the city’s coastal beauty. (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

The Yeosu Maritime Cable Car ride offers a breathtaking nighttime view of the city’s coastal beauty.

The Yeosu Maritime Cable Car ride offers a breathtaking nighttime view of the city’s coastal beauty. (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

•Day 3

-Muju Taekwondowon – Taekwondo performance

Families ride the monorail to Muju Taekwondowon Observatory for panoramic views.

Families ride the monorail to Muju Taekwondowon Observatory for panoramic views. (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Families ride the monorail to Muju Taekwondowon Observatory for panoramic views.

Families ride the monorail to Muju Taekwondowon Observatory for panoramic views. (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Families ride the monorail to Muju Taekwondowon Observatory for panoramic views.

Families ride the monorail to Muju Taekwondowon Observatory for panoramic views. (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Tour participants enjoyed martial art performances at Muju Taekwondowon.

Tour participants enjoyed martial art performances at Muju Taekwondowon. (Photo by Hyemin Lee)

Key information

Sponsored by the Korean government as part of the ROK-U.S. Alliance Strengthening Project, all expenses, including transportation, hotels, meals, and activities, are fully covered for eligible participants. The program is conducted with the official approval of US Forces Korea (USFK) and recruitment of participants is overseen by USFK J1.

·        Participants: Must be U.S troops, UNC troops, GS employees working in Korea and their dependent family members.

·        Duration: 2 nights, 3 days (Tuesday to Thursday).

·        Sessions: 10 sessions per year (6 sessions in April-May, 2 sessions in October, and two Jeju Island sessions in September).

·        Locations: Seoul-DMZ, East Coast-Seorak Mountain, Jeonju-Yeosu, Gyeongju-Busan (two different trips), and Jeju Island.

·        Contact: As spots are limited, contact your leadership to reserve yours or inquire via email at:  indopacom.humphreys.usfk.list.usfk-cultural-immersion-program@army.mil

To learn more details about the Cultural Immersion Program, please check out: https://korea.stripes.com/travel/free-rok-cultural-immersion-program-introduces-us-military-community-to-korea.html

Camp Casey
Fleet Chinhae
USAG Daegu
USAG Yongsan
Camp Humphreys

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