The ROK-US alliance has been through many trials over the last half century but has remained resilient in the face of adversity and adaptive to the constantly changing situations. Our relationship has evolved dramatically and has successfully transformed itself into a more equal partnership due to the tremendous strides that the Republic of Korea has made in the years since 1953.

The Executive Orientation Program (originally known as the Young Leaders’ Program), established in February 2006, is a US Forces Korea Good Neighbor outreach program for Koreans, 30 to 50 years of age, influential in some aspect of Korean society; private sector, academia, government, or media (primarily CEOs, Presidents, Directors, Professors, Publishers, etc.). The Part I all-day program is hosted by the Deputy Chief of Staff for United Nations Command and United States Forces Korea and its purpose is to familiarize 40 - 50 young leaders with a review of where the ROK-US Alliance has been, we were are, and where we are going in the future. Emphasis is placed on explaining the roles of the United Nations Command, the ROK-US Combined Forces Command and United States Forces Korea. A specific focus of the program is to explain how these organizations contribute to the security and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia that has enabled the prosperity of the Korean people. Throughout the entire day during both the briefings and tours, the orientation provides an opportunity for the participants to discuss the security situation in Korea with senior Korean and American military officers. Highlights of the program include:

-Korea Update Briefing (KUB): This briefing views the Northeast Asian region from the economic, military and strategic perspectives and the threat to stability currently posed by the regime in North Korea. The final portion of the briefing focuses on the ROK-US Combined Forces Command and the United Nations Command and the roles that they play in countering the threat to stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. At the conclusion of the formal briefing, the Deputy Chief of Staff hosts a question and answer period to clarify any issues not fully explained during the briefing.

-Visit to the Korean Demilitarized Zone: (transportation via limousine bus)

 The Joint Security Area: The visitors will be briefed on the current situation within the truce village and given opportunities normally unavailable to visitors when they are allowed to approach the Military Demarcation Line and later walk out to the Bridge of No Return

 Briefing/Luncheon at the Neutral Nations Security Commissions (NNSC): The NNSC briefing shows the history of the NNSC involvement and its roles and missions at Panmunjom. The luncheon provides an opportunity for the participants to discuss the NNSC briefing among themselves and ask questions to NNSC officers.

 Invasion Tunnel 3: The Young Leaders will ride a tram down into the 3rd Invasion Tunnel for a close-up view of how North Korea’s intent to invade the ROK is converted into physical actions

 Observation Post Dora: the group is briefed by United Nations Command officers on the Kaesong Industrial Complex and the Western Transportation Corridor which crosses the Demilitarized Zone to connect South and North

 ROK Government’s Customs and Immigration Quarantine Facility: Ministry of National Defense officials will walk the participants through their facilities there and provide an unclassified, informal briefing on the situation in the Demilitarized Zone.

-Dinner: Upon return to Yongsan, the Deputy Chief of Staff will host a steak and shrimp dinner at the Hartell House during which the guests participate in small group discussions with USFK representatives, ROK military general officers and others.

-Program Itinerary*:

Time Event
0800—0830 Assemble at Hartell House
0830—1000 Korea Update Briefing
1000—1015 Comfort break/load buses
1015—1130 En route Conference Row
1130—1230 UNCSB-JSA Briefing/JSA Tour
1230—1430 NNSC Briefing/Luncheon
1430—1450 En route Tunnel #3
1450—1525 Tunnel #3
1525—1535 En route OP Dora
1535—1600 OP Dora Tour
1600—1610 En route Customs and Immigration Quarantine (CIQ) Bldg
1610—1645 CIQ Briefing
1645—1815 En route Yongsan
1830—2030 Dinner at Hartell House