YONHAP NEWS

Seoul to award medal to chief U.S. military officer

SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- The outgoing chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) will Thursday receive South Korea's highest medal given to those who contribute to national security, defense officials said.

   Gen. Peter Pace is on a two-day trip here before his retirement in October. He is recognized for his role in fostering the alliance between the two nations.

   "Gen. Pace plans to pay a courtesy call on Defense Minister Kim Jang-soo after attending a ceremony to inspect South Korean honor guards later Thursday," a Defense Ministry spokesman said.

   He will also visit the presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, to receive the Tongil (unification) Medal of National Security Merit in recognition for his distinguished service in strengthening the alliance, he added.

   Pace, the sixteenth chairman of the American JCS, took office on Sep. 30, 2005. He will stay in Seoul till Friday.

   lcd@yna.co.kr
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