Decades after serving in Korea, US veteran begins new chapter with Korean company
Korea kept finding its way back into Gene Richards’ life. He first arrived in the country as an 18-year-old U.S. soldier. More than three decades later, that connection has led him to an unexpected new chapter: a job with a Korean company in his home state of Indiana. Richards is now the external relations coordinator for SK ecoplant in West Lafayette and the first person hired through the USFK…
Gene Richards, a former U.S. soldier, has returned to Korea for the first time since his 18-year-old enlistment. Three decades after his initial deployment, the connection between the two countries has brought him to an unexpected new role. Richards now serves as the external relations coordinator for SK ecoplant, a Korean company located in his home state of Indiana.
Richards' career in the U.S. Army spanned 27 years. His first overseas assignment was in 1990, when he was stationed at Camp Humphreys in South Korea. He returned to this base in 1993 and 1994, working in military intelligence. Richards' time in Korea continued in 1996 before he became an officer and continued serving there from 2008 to 2010. During this period, he worked with G3 Aviation of the Eighth Army and served as executive officer of the Korean Service Command.
The USFK Job Platform has played a pivotal role in Richards' new chapter. This platform connects former and soon-to-retire U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) personnel with Korean companies operating in the U.S. Richards was the first person hired through this initiative. The program aims to facilitate employment opportunities for USFK veterans, bridging their international experience with potential employers in the Korean market.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
