Unable to connect locally? Contact Military OneSource via secure live chat or call 800-342-9647.
Average Cost of Living
Depending on where else you have lived, you may find some of Korea's expenses a bit high and others very low.
While Chinhae and Busan have large western-style grocery stores and lots of little local markets, the prices on staple items can vary greatly. Produce is very cheap when it is in season but very expensive out of season. Many families try to stock up at the small commissary in Chinhae or the larger one in Daegu (a two-hour drive) for a few items that are much cheaper, such as beef or butter, or specialty items only available on base like items for those with dietary restrictions or holiday items.
Korean restaurants can be a fun and reasonably priced way to soak up the local atmosphere. However, the more westernized a place looks, the higher the price tends to be as well.
Coffee is a way of life here in Korea, and there are a multitude of chains and little kiosks on almost every corner. Some can be as cheap as $2.50 for a latte and others as much as $5 or $6 for the same drink, so shop around and discover your favorite coffee/tea place to relax in or get a "take-away" beverage (this phrased is used commonly instead of "to-go").
A night out can come with a little sticker shock if you like cocktails or import or craft beers, but if you develop a taste for some of the Korean beers or soju drinks, you can hang on to little more of your money.
Living out in town can be a great experience but know that there are often extra costs you may not be used to such as a building maintenance fee or, depending on your apartment rules, paying for special trash bags or large item disposal fees. Utilities can run significantly higher in the summer and winter for the AC and heat, so be aware of the rough costs for your building, if possible, by checking with the realtor or if there are any other military and families living there.
Specific per diem, COLA and BAH rates for South Korea can be found at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Travel-Transportation-Rates/Per-Diem/.
Service members are not required to secure passports for entrance into Korea for their duty assignment because of existing Status of Forces Agreement. Family members who accompany are required to have a no-fee passport and an A-3 VISA and have completed the South Korea Electronic Travel Authorization, K-ETA, Waiver: The South Korea Electronic Travel Authorization is now available online. The current SOFA states that "Members of civilian component, their dependents and the dependents of members of the U.S. Armed Forces shall be in possession of appropriate documentation issued by appropriate U.S. authorities so that their status may be verified by the authorities of the Republic of Korea." Contact the local transportation or legal office prior to departure to determine how to obtain an A-3. Immediately after arrival/in-processing, bring your passport to PSD at Bldg.606 so that if your VISA does not state A-3 status, they may assist you in obtaining an upgrade and being issued a SOFA stamp. The SOFA stamp is required to verify the special status of civilians and dependents under SOFA.
Service members will need copy of PCS orders and ID card or leave chit and ID card to travel between the U.S. and Korea. To travel to other foreign countries not covered by SOFA, service members will most likely need passports. Law effective July 2, 2001 requires signatures of both parents to obtain passports for children under the age of 13. If one parent is not available to sign the passport application, parental consent can be documented with a signed, notarized letter or statement from the absent parent providing permission to take the child or children overseas.
SOFA
The legal status of U.S. Forces personnel in Korea is determined by an international agreement between the United States and the Republic of Korea called the US/ROK Status of Forces Agreement.
Your assignment in Korea not only helps the Republic of Korea, it helps the U.S. accomplish important foreign policy objectives. This doesn't entitle you to any special privileges, except for those provided in the SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement).
The SOFA applies to all U.S. Armed Forces personnel in Korea. Persons entitled to protection under SOFA are required to carry a SOFA Card at all times. If you have family in Korea they are also required to have a SOFA verification stamp in their passport. This happens once they arrive at CFAC through PSD.
Criminal Offenses
Crimes committed on post are subject to investigation by Military Police and the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigation Service, depending upon the nature of the crime. Heinous/severe crimes by personnel or their family members are not tolerated by the military and can result in quick reassignment back to CONUS.
USFK Off Limits Information
The following areas and establishments within the ROK are off-limits:
For further information on these regulations and policies, or any other USFK regulation, please visit the USFK website and click on the publications link.
Abbreviation Codes:
It is relatively safe to travel throughout Korea. Always check with the base security or NCIS Agent representative to find out which areas are off limits.
During situations of unrest or when student demonstrations are in progress, alerts are provided in advance to U.S. personnel throughout Korea. While these situations are played up by the media in the U.S., personnel assigned here are rarely affected.
Commander, Navy Region Korea provides shore installation management and support to Navy activities throughout the Republic of Korea. CNRK exercises military command over Commander, Fleet Activities Chinhae, the only US Navy installation in Korea.
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea is the US Navy's representative in the Republic of Korea and provides leadership and expertise in naval matters to the Republic of Korea so as to improve institutional and operational effectiveness between the two navies and to strengthen collective security efforts in Korea and the region. To this end, CNFK works closely with its ROK counterparts throughout the year, and coordinates U.S. Navy participation in several major joint and combined exercises each year. Sailors serving with CNFK can expect a challenging and interesting assignment, in an advanced country with fascinating cultural and recreational opportunities.
The mission of Commander Fleet Activities Chinhae is to support naval operations, logistics and joint exercises, which are vital for regional security. The base serves as a key U.S. Navy installation in the region, providing logistics, repair and administrative support to U.S. and ROK Navy vessels. It also supports forward deployed naval forces and fosters U.S.-ROK naval cooperation. The base’s mission has evolved over time, initially supporting U.S. and allied naval operations and later expanding to include anti-submarine warfare training and coordination of maritime patrols. Today, it remains a critical part of the U.S. commitment to security in Northeast Asia.
The Fleet Activities, Chinhae had its origin as a U.S. Naval Advisory Group in 1946. This Command was subsequently established as a detachment of the Naval Component of the U.S. Naval advisory Group for the Republic of Korea. Upon reorganization in July 1969, the command became the first Fleet Detachment, Naval Station, JUSMAG-K. In 1972, the Command was reorganized as the Chinhae Facility. U.S. Naval Forces Korea and Fleet Detachment, Naval Station, JUSMAG-K broke out to become a tenant activity. The latter activity, renamed in 1972 as Field Logistics Center, Chinhae, was disestablished in 1988. Chinhae Facility was reorganized as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Korea Detachment, Chinhae in 1978. Reorganization in 1984 established Commander, Fleet Activities, Chinhae with Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Detachment Chinhae as a tenant activity.
Chinhae (population 192,000) is a district located in the larger city of Changwon (population 1.03 million).
CFAC is small remote base consisting of approximately 135 military personnel, 65 family members, 110 DOW personnel, and 215 KGS Population approximate employees.
Population - Approx. Number:
Chinhae (also spelled Jinhae) is a small city located on the southeast tip of the Korean peninsula. The city is cradled by the beautiful Jang Bok Mountains.
Commander, Fleet Activities Chinhae is located in the Jinhae district (진해구) of Changwon City (창원시). Jinhae has a population of approximately 172,000 people and is known for the annual cherry blossom festival. (note: "Chinhae" was the older McCune-Reischauer spelling variation that is still used in our base namesake)
In addition to being the location for the only U.S. Navy base in Mainland Asia, Jinhae is home to the Republic of Korea Naval Academy and the country's largest navy base. There are many opportunities to interact with local ROK sailors. They enjoy attending our English classes, we love that they have a Dunkin Doughnuts on base (and many other services) and everyone loves working together during COMRELS or competing on the sports fields.
The atmosphere in Jinhae is relaxed and friendly. U.S. Sailors and their families feel welcomed by the local residents. It is important to remember that we are ambassadors for the US Navy at all times.
Korea's climate is regarded as a continental climate from a temperate standpoint and a monsoon climate from a precipitation standpoint. Korea is characterized by the four distinct seasons. Spring lasts from late March to May and is warm. Various flowers and the famous cherry blossoms cover the mountains and fields during this time. Summer lasts from June to early September. It is a hot and very humid time of the year. Autumn lasts from September to November and produces mild weather. It is the best season for visiting Korea. Winter lasts from December to mid-March. It can be bitterly cold with December averaging a high of about 45 degrees during this time. Heavy snow in the northern and eastern parts of Korea makes for favorable skiing conditions.
During the springtime, approximately 160,000 cherry trees blossom and tourists from all over the world come to Jinhae for the famous Cherry Blossom Festival. Jinhae's population more than doubles, as people flock to the city to enjoy the festivities and show their respect to the late Admiral Yi Sun Shin.
In addition to its beautiful outdoor parks, trails, and nature sites, Jinhae has a rich history and there are many cultural sites nearby such as temples, museums, and monuments.
The spoken language in Jinhae is Korean. Hangul is the written Korean alphabet, which is easy to learn and free classes are taught on base. English is the second language but in the smaller and less cosmopolitan areas it is rarely spoken. The Korean currency is the Won. The ATMs on base issue both Won and U.S. dollars.
The most convenient way to get to COMFLEACT Chinhae is to fly to fly into Busan (Pusan/PUS) International Airport, located about 40-50 mins drive away from CFAC. While it is possible to take public transit or a taxi from the airport to base, both come with significant challenges. As such, it is highly recommended you coordinate pick-up with your command sponsor.
Recommendations:
Dialing instructions to call Chinhae Navy Base
Department – Phone Number:
Defense Service Network Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of War. Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code (315) must be included.