ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

U.S.–South Korea Status of Forces Agreement

When mommy and daddy visit their friend's house, they follow their rules and ways of doing things. This is called being a guest. Similarly, the United States sends their soldiers to help protect their friend South Korea. They also need to follow rules and ways of doing things. This is where the U.S.-South Korea Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) comes in.

The SOFA is like a special set of rules that the United States must follow while they are in South Korea. It tells the United States what they are allowed to do and not allowed to do while they are helping protect South Korea. The SOFA helps make sure that both the United States and South Korea are safe and respectful of each other's laws.

For example, the SOFA says that U.S. soldiers can only be tried in a U.S. military court if they break the law while in South Korea. This means that if they make a mistake, they will still be held responsible, but they will go through a different court system. The SOFA also helps make sure that U.S. soldiers follow South Korean laws when they are off duty and not on a military mission.

Overall, the SOFA is like a special set of rules that helps the United States and South Korea be good friends and work together to keep each other safe.