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The first thing the acronym FAO is associated with may be the UN food agency, the Food and Agriculture Organization. But for the U.S. Forces Korea, FAO denotes a "foreign area officer," or an area expert under the command of the USFK. Some American FAOs have been serving in Korea for over a decade.
At present, 20 to 30 U.S. FAOs work in Korea. They are considering policies and coordinating military affairs between Korea and the U.S., while working in key posts at the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, the UN Command's Military Armistice Commission, or the Military Attach顯s Office of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.
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U.S. FAOs /Courtesy of Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command
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Having been studying Korea's military, politics, society and culture and being fluent Korean speakers, these foreigners know Korean affairs better than most natives. A considerable number of them are also married to Korean women.
Col. Kurt Taylor, chief secretary to the UNCMAC, is a senior U.S. FAO who has been serving in Korea for eight years. Once an aide to the deputy CFC commander, he married a Korean woman in 1988. His main duty is to handle military intelligence involving both Koreas.
Lt. Col. John Kim, a policy officer at the CFC's planning management staff, has also served in Korea for eight years, while a few other U.S. FAOs have been in Korea for over six years, including Lt. Col. Burke Hamilton, aide to the deputy CFC commander.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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