*Address by the Provincial Governor

We have faced many difficulties along the way to this ceremony. I would like to express my special thanks to the local residents for making this important decision in spite of many difficulties, and for your efforts in securing peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

I will exert my best efforts, in cooperation with the United States Forces Korea (USFK), to nurture Pyeongtaek City as the center of the West Sea region and as an international city representing peace.

Pyeongtaek City occupies a very important strategic position in Northeast Asia. It is located in a very close proximity to China, and I expect that Korea, the United States, and China will meet here in Pyeongtaek City in order to seek ways to considerably contribute to peace and development.

I ask myself, if it were not for the continued ROK-US Alliance, could Korea have achieved such free democracy? Could peace have been established? And could such remarkable economic growth have been achieved? Without a doubt, I say that it would have been impossible.

Pyeongtaek City has emerged as the new symbol of the ROK-US Alliance. Gyeonggi Province and Pyeongtaek City will combine our efforts, to help this new base to become the best USFK base.

Furthermore, we will not cease such efforts until the unification of the two Koreas is achieved, and until we join the ranks of advanced nations. It is my hope that Pyeongtaek City will go down in history as having served the most pivotal role in achieving such goals.

I hope that the construction of the base can be completed at the earliest possible date, so that US soldiers and their families can become settled in Gyeonggi Province, and be on friendly terms with local residents. Let us go together into the future.