The joint committee on the Status of Forces Agreement(SOFA) between South Korea and the United States met at the U.S. Forces Korea(USFK) base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Friday.

According to Seoul’s foreign ministry, the two sides mentioned their active communication regarding the protection of U.S. military facilities, environmental management and immigration procedures since the previous meeting in November 2023.

The ministry said both sides also agreed to swiftly pursue consultations on the relocation and return of U.S. military bases in accordance with SOFA and other agreements.

The committee chiefs highlighted that SOFA is a core pillar of the alliance and agreed to continue close coordination on related matters.

SOFA governs the legal status of the 28-thousand-500 USFK troops stationed in South Korea.