What Is SOFA?

STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT (SOFA)

SOFA is set of agreements between the United States of America and another country. It has the effect of law and all Military, DOD civilians, invited contractors, technical representatives and their legal dependents within the territorial limits of the Republic of Korea are under SOFA jurisdiction. There are few special privileges under the provisions of SOFA—and some important requirements.

The Korean government is very willing for you to live and work in the most familiar environment as possible and to have, for your personal use, the same type of services, facilities and personal items as you enjoy back home. So you have the benefits of post and base exchanges, commissaries, military clubs, banks, credit unions and postal services. It even helps protect your legal and civil rights in case you’re involved in an accident or suspected of violating ROK law. SOFA status will allow U.S. authorities to retain custody of you while your situation is being sorted out, except in serious situations, such as those involving the death of a person. In return for having these things, which are generally not as readily available to its own citizens, the ROK government makes two requests:

• That you respect and obey ROK laws.

• That you do not allow the privileges granted U.S. forces to harm the nation’s economy or that of its citizens.

This second point is where we have the responsibility and opportunity to show ourselves as good citizens and responsible guests. Black-marketing and drug abuse are two particularly serious offenses in Korea. Selling or transferring items that are duty-free to you to a local citizen is black-marketing. There are only a few exceptions to this and you must check the appropriate regulations to insure that you are within the law. Drug laws in Korea are extremely rigid and the consequences for a drug arrest can include jail time, large fines and deportation.

You and your family members will need to get your SOFA Stamp and Visa "stamped" in your passport within 30 days of arriving in Korea. Upon arrival at your Osan Complex school, you will be given further information about how to go about obtaining these important stamps in your travel documents. In most cases your SOFA stamp and Visa can be acquired at the Osan AB, AMC Terminal on a walk-in basis.