ID :
194377
Tue, 07/12/2011 - 02:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/194377
The shortlink copeid
Gen. Thurman to be sworn in as USFK commander this week
(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with Senate committee official's comments, details)
By Lee Chi-dong
WASHINGTON, July 11 (Yonhap) -- The new commander of U.S. forces in Korea is scheduled to begin work later this week after winning U.S. Senate confirmation, officials here said Monday.
The Senate endorsed President Barack Obama's nomination of Gen. James Thurman as head of the 28,000 troops after last month's confirmation hearing, according to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Thurman was confirmed by the committee on June 29 and the full Senate the following day, said Brian Thomas, press officer of the committee.
A government official said that a change of command ceremony will be held in Seoul Thursday.
"Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will attend the ceremony," he said on the condition of anonymity.
Thurman, who worked as commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command, replaces Gen. Walter Sharp as chief of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a cease-fire. A USFK commander usually serves three years in the post.
At his confirmation hearing, Thurman said the U.S. and South Korean militaries should prepare for a possible regime collapse in North Korea, which is pushing for another father-to-son power transfer.
By Lee Chi-dong
WASHINGTON, July 11 (Yonhap) -- The new commander of U.S. forces in Korea is scheduled to begin work later this week after winning U.S. Senate confirmation, officials here said Monday.
The Senate endorsed President Barack Obama's nomination of Gen. James Thurman as head of the 28,000 troops after last month's confirmation hearing, according to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Thurman was confirmed by the committee on June 29 and the full Senate the following day, said Brian Thomas, press officer of the committee.
A government official said that a change of command ceremony will be held in Seoul Thursday.
"Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will attend the ceremony," he said on the condition of anonymity.
Thurman, who worked as commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command, replaces Gen. Walter Sharp as chief of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a cease-fire. A USFK commander usually serves three years in the post.
At his confirmation hearing, Thurman said the U.S. and South Korean militaries should prepare for a possible regime collapse in North Korea, which is pushing for another father-to-son power transfer.
