About Us
United on the RoK Magazine is a magazine with a military community focus that is distributed to United States Forces Korea installations within the Republic of Korea. This magazine aims to connect readers to the diversity of our communities and showcase what South Korea has to offer from culture and travel to food and family, and more.
Contents of United on the RoK are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the United States Government, the Department of Defence, or Oriental Press. All content within United on the RoK Magazine is written by non-paid, volunteers within the military-connected communities across the RoK. Articles within United on the RoK are written independently and non-sponsored, with no monetary compensation or products received in exchange for the author's opinions, reviews, or mentions in the magazine.
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Volunteers are strongly encouraged to create an account and log hours on the Army's Volunteer Management Information System (VMIS) to officially document their volunteer hours for their own records and personal work portfolios, or to track hours for military-connected recognition awards.
Published by
Oriental Press
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Chief Executive Officer
Charles Chong
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Art Director
Eric Young-Seok Park
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Meet The Leadership Team
Jetta Allen
Editor in Chief
Jetta Allen is the Editor in Chief of United on the RoK. Over the past few years, she has worn many hats; writer, poet, photographer, and editor. She loves nature, travel, and culture, but most of all, making memories with her family.
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As a military spouse, Jetta knows the importance of community and how being connected can help one find the resources and networks that help them thrive. Her advice to newcomers to Korea is to get connected with your local community and neighborhoods, find others with similar hobbies and interests, don't be afraid to introduce yourself on social media sites for the installation, volunteer, and most importantly, start making Korea your new home! When it feels like home, you can start to grow and embrace the country with all of its possibilities.
Robyn Connell
Editorial and Networking Director
Robyn Connell serves as Editorial and Networking Director for United on the RoK Mag, where she brings a dynamic perspective shaped by her years of experience as a military spouse living in South Korea. Having made the peninsula her home, she has deeply immersed herself in the vibrant tapestry of local life and traditions. Her editorial expertise extends to multiple editions of the DMZ to the Sea Resource Guide, a comprehensive publication serving communities across the Republic of Korea.
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Robyn has a deep respect for Korean culture and military life. Whether exploring local communities, finding the best hidden gems and shops, or crafting informative resources, Robyn's dedication to connecting people with essential information and shared experiences remains at the heart of her work.
Melissa Edwards-Whittington
Managing Editor, Author and Content Creator
Melissa Edwards-Whittington has called South Korea home for over eight years and has become a dedicated voice in the international and military-connected communities. As Managing Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine, she combines her love of storytelling, cultural diversity, and community connection to ensure voices across the peninsula are seen and heard.
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Beyond the magazine, Melissa serves as Online Content Manager for South of Seoul, contributing blogs, digital media, and supporting community programs like language exchanges. She and her husband, Chuck, also share their life abroad through their YouTube channels—KimchiRednecks and Shining With KimchiRednecks—highlighting daily life in Korea, travel, food, and craft spirits.
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At home, Melissa and Chuck are proud pet parents to three senior Shih Tzus—Sookie, Minion, and Mayhem—who often appear in their content. Whether editing, creating, or connecting with others, Melissa brings authenticity, warmth, and purpose to everything she does.
Follow Melissa, Chuck and her furry family here:
YouTube: youtube.com/@kimchirednecks
Youtube.com/@shiningwithkimchirednecks
Instagram: @kimchirednecks
Facebook: KimchiRednecks
South of Seoul Blog: www.blog.southofseoul.net
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaedwards44929274/​​
Tyrese Cook
Strategic Content Editor, Author and Content Creator
Tyrese Cook, also known as Re, is a devoted military spouse and proud mother to five daughters—including two sets of twins—who brings warmth, insight, and a touch of humor to every subject she explores.
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Tyrese, a non-denominational Christian with a master’s degree in social work, is a licensed social worker in Ohio and Kentucky who practices therapy. Drawing on her faith and expertise, she is passionate about mental health and committed to helping others reach their full potential with compassion and understanding. She was recently featured with her family on CNN and honored as the May/June 2025 cover story for Military Families Magazine. Whether in therapy, motherhood, or ministry, Tyrese’s life reflects her deep commitment to family, love, and resilience. Outside of her work and family life, she delights in cooking creative meals, diving into captivating books, and experiencing the world’s diverse cultures.
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Follow her journey on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram at @AuthenticallyRe, and tune in to her podcast Planted in Purpose and devotional series The Garden Bench, streaming on your favorite platforms.
Sierra Beaton
Copy Editor, Author and Photographer
Sierra Beaton is a prolific reader, writer, and memory keeper. She enjoys capturing daily life through photography, regularly subjecting her family to new recipes, making friends out of strangers, and is easily distracted by plants.
As a seasoned military spouse, mom to three kids, and generally curious individual, she has had the opportunity to learn a lot of things she never knew she needed to know. She enjoys sifting through her lived experiences and sharing her observations with others.
Follow Sierra's travels on her blog Off the Beaton Path (https://sierrabeaton.com/) or on her Instagram @sierrab6.
Mini DeLamarter-Lefebvre
Copy Editor
Mini DeLamarter-Lefebvre is a dedicated DoDEA teacher at Humphreys Middle School, where she began her adventure in August 2022. She is married to Michael, a retired Army Field Artillery officer, and together they have two wonderful children, Zachary and Michaela.
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Mini has a passion for travel and the adventures it brings. She loves making connections in the new places she visits and cherishes the friendships she forms along the way. Her enthusiasm for exploring the world is matched by her commitment to volunteering and improving the community she lives in. Mini’s efforts to make a positive impact are evident in her dedication to both her students and her community.
Monica Hofmann
Copy Editor
Monica E. Hofmann is an Editor for United on the RoK Magazine and an active volunteer in the Pyeongtaek community. Since moving to South Korea in 2021, she has dedicated herself to supporting international and military-connected families through her work with USA Girl Scouts Overseas, Cub Scout Pack 42, and the Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation’s Talk Café program. She also volunteers with South of Seoul and works as a DoDEA substitute teacher and librarian.
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With a diverse professional background spanning higher education, compliance, research, and consulting, Monica brings insight, organization, and a multicultural perspective to everything she does. She is passionate about helping families make the most of their time abroad — whether through community involvement, cafés and cultural discovery, or laying the foundations for a secure financial future. Monica and her husband raise two sons who attend Korean public school and a quirky menagerie of pets — turtles, snails, beetles, fish, and shrimp — and together the family embraces the adventure of expat life and travel across Asia.
Instagram @3rdCulture4thCountry
Naomi Suguitan
Web Manager
Born in Germany and raised in Hawaii as a veteran's daughter, Naomi Suguitan moved to South Korea in 2023 with her active-duty husband. She brings with her a passion for community and adventure. When not working, you'll find her building LEGO sets, exploring local coffee shops, watching K-dramas, planning her next Disney adventure, or discovering hidden gems around Camp Humphreys.
As Web Manager for United on the RoK Mag, Naomi applies her extensive web design and digital marketing expertise to strengthen the magazine's online presence and support its mission of connecting the military community.
Beyond her volunteer work with United on the RoK, Naomi is a Certified Director of Operations and founder of Virtual Changemakers, where she provides fractional Director of Marketing services to impactful non-profit organizations and socially driven small businesses.
Connect with Naomi on these platforms!