BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (July 3, 2008) -- Doctors and nurses, eager for the day to come, stood outside a small hospital that will be used once again.  With the cutting of the ribbon, the Korean Medical Vocational training center was reopened June 30, to provide medical treatment to the treatment of the local individuals and families surrounding Bagram Air Field.

“This Hospital is an important symbol of the strong and sustained commitment of the Korean Republic to the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” said Korean Ambassador Song Woong-yeob.

The hospital closed in December 2007 and began to undergo the process for reopening anew in February 2008.  The staff contains a mixture of Korean military and civilians, and Afghan doctors.

 “This event [is] important for the Global War on Terror, the Coalition and the Afghan people” said Brig. Gen. James C. McConville, deputy commanding general (support) for Combined Joint Task Force-101 and Regional Command East.  “We may be from different countries and we may wear different uniforms, but we are all on the same team.  We all have the same goals—and that’s to improve the quality of life for the Afghan people.  This medical facility, by providing outstanding medical training and care, will do precisely that.”

For the past seven years, the Korean government has been assisting in the stabilization of Afghanistan by focusing on the human resources of Afghanistan, Song said, and already has a successful KMVTT in Kabul.