Korean PSYOP team visits Fort Bragg

By Staff Sgt. Andrea Candlish
4th PSYOP PAO

	Photos by Staff Sgt. Andrea Candlish/4th POG PAO Republic of Korea Defense Psychological Operations Group Capt. Junggu Yoon, right, shares a laugh with 4th PSYOP Soldiers and civilians during a recent visit to the 4th PSYOP Group.

In the psychological operations community, relationships are important to mission success, but for a group of officers from the Republic of Korea Defense Psychological Operations Group a recent visit to Fort Bragg took on increased significance following the sinking of a ROK naval ship.

During a weeklong visit, the Korean PSYOP team had the opportunity to attend various briefs, tours and training events with the 4th Psychological Operations Group. The visit allowed the Koreans to learn how their American counterparts train for deployments and work with their allies.

“The DPOG has periodically performed exchanges with 4th PSYOP Group to train with us for a few weeks, but this is the first time in recent history that they have conducted a one week visit. As our PSYOP counterparts in the ROK, we maintain relations and combined training opportunities to increase force interoperability,” said Maj. Eric Piazza, 5th PSYOP Battalion S-3.

During the last day of the visit, the Korean PSYOP team toured the 1st Lt. Michael A. Merkel Media Operations Center. As they walked down the hallway of the MOC, the Koreans paused to look at photos from various conflicts that PSYOP supported.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean War and there has been much discussion about what the future holds as tensions build between North Korea and South Korea. In 2012, plans are underway to transfer operational control of the combined U.S.-South Korean fighting force to Seoul from Washington.

“As psychological operation professionals these exchanges assist us, both US and Korean counterparts, to gain a greater appreciation of the challenges we both face, the unique approach each of us take to address these challenges, and increase our understanding of each other’s capabilities,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Huening, 5th PSYOP Battalion commander.
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