[Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic] :: Visited the 19th Annual USFK Korean and English Speech Contest :D

Hello! This time, our Smile Eye Clinic was invited to and visited Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek.

I believe that on Hangeul Day, it was an opportunity to exchange different cultures, beyond just the ROK-US military alliance!

Dr. Yeom Dong-ju, the head director of Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic, personally visited to provide simple eye health tips to the American service members who are working far from home in Korea to protect the security and peace of the Republic of Korea!

US military bases, such as those in Pyeongtaek located within the territory of the Republic of Korea, are classified as US territory.

Therefore, incidents and accidents that occur within US military bases are subject to US law, not Korean law.

So, if anyone plans to visit a US military base, it would be good to keep this in mind.

This is a US service member, showing that despite differences in skin color and language, we are all the same people.

The PC bang (internet cafe) culture is what surprises foreigners most when they visit Korea… It’s not for nothing that Korea is called a gaming powerhouse.

For the US service members working far away in Korea to protect a country not their own,

I hope that more events like the ‘Korean Speech Contest’ will be held in Korea to help them understand and exchange cultures, creating good memories for them.

A female service member, deployed far from home for the ROK-US alliance, leaving two sons in her hometown.

Seeing stories like this truly makes me feel a deep sense of gratitude for the ROK-US alliance.

This ‘Korean Speech Contest’ on Hangeul Day not only featured US service members speaking Korean,

but also middle school students learning English in the English classes run by the US military and KATUSA participated in an ‘English Speech Contest’ as well.

Watching the middle school students speak English so fluently made me think I should study English harder too ㅠ.ㅠ

Watching the Korean speech contest, I felt quite embarrassed by my own habit of always using internet slang and abbreviations, seeing how clearly and precisely they spoke Korean.

It made me realize how much effort they put in.

And this is the most important part, right? I think all soldiers, not just those in the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, but anywhere in the world, feel the same… haha

The ‘Speech Contest’ is important, but even more important is the慰問公演 (comfort performance)!! No, it wasn’t just a comfort performance, but a K-POP contest was also held for the US participants, truly introducing Korea to the world.

Many talented teams participated, and I believe it really heated up the atmosphere.

Beyond just a simple speech contest, I once again felt how strong the ROK-US alliance is,

and I hope that more people will learn about these events and show interest.

Thank you for inviting us to such a wonderful event!

Frequently Asked Questions

What event did Smile Eye Clinic participate in?

Smile Eye Clinic participated in the 19th Annual USFK Korean and English Speech Contest held at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek. This event was organized to commemorate Hangeul Day and serve as a platform for cultural exchange beyond the ROK-US military alliance.

What information did Smile Eye Clinic convey?

Dr. Yeom Dong-ju, the head director of Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic, personally participated and provided simple eye health tips for USFK service members. This was aimed at supporting the health of service members working far from home.

Which law applies to incidents occurring within US military bases?

Incidents and accidents that occur within US military bases are subject to US law, not Korean law. This is because US military bases, such as those in Pyeongtaek located within the territory of the Republic of Korea, are classified as US territory.

Were there other events besides the speech contest?

Yes, in addition to the speech contest, a K-POP contest was also held. Many talented teams participated, further heating up the atmosphere of the event.

Who participated in the Korean Speech Contest?

USFK service members participated in the Korean Speech Contest by speaking in Korean. Additionally, middle school students from the English classes run by the US military and KATUSA also participated in the English speech contest.

What was the main purpose of the event?

The main purpose of this event, held on Hangeul Day, was to foster cultural exchange and understanding beyond the ROK-US military alliance. Another important objective was to create good memories for USFK service members in Korea.