Belgium also participated in the US-led UN mission to repel the North Korean invasion of South Korea during the Korean War (see Belgian United Nations Command). According to Frank Gerits, the Washington used the diplomats at the embassy and especially the facilities of the United States Information Service (USIS) in the 1950s to support its Cold War strategy. USIS propaganda influenced Belgian public opinion to favor the United States generally, support NATO, support the Korean war effort, and promote the European Defense Community (EDC). In 1960, the Belgian Congo gained independence from Belgium as the Republic of the Congo (today known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo). As the newly independent country fell into civil war during the Congo Crisis, Belgium and the United States cooperated to foil Soviet efforts to turn the Congo into a communist country. Both the Belgian and U.S. militaries intervened to rescue captives during Operation Dragon Rouge. Belgium and the United States were ultimately successful in helping the oppressive, anti-communist regime of Joseph-Désiré Mobutu come to power. Post-Cold War (1992 to the Present) The U.S. appreciates Belgian activism in international affairs, including its participation in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, its reconstruction and development assistance to Iraq, its peacekeeping missions in the Balkans and Lebanon, its frequent provision of airlift in international crises, and its hosting of 2005 and 2007 transatlantic dialogues between European foreign ministers and the Secretary of State. During the January 17, 2006 visit by Prime Minister Verhofstadt, President Bush thanked him for his "leadership" in helping "the people of the Congo realize their full potential." The U.S. continues to believe that Belgium could be even more active in sharing international security concerns. As an outward-looking nation, Belgium works closely with the United States bilaterally and in international and regional organizations to encourage economic and political cooperation and assistance to developing countries. Belgium has welcomed hundreds of U.S. firms to its territory, many of which have their European headquarters there. Resident diplomatic missions The Embassy of Belgium in Washington, D.C. is the diplomatic mission of the Kingdom of Belgium to the United States. The chancery is located at 1430 K Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C. The previous location, in use by the Kingdom of Belgium since its construction in 1956, at 3330 Garfield St. NW, was sold to the Vietnam in 2019. Belgium also operates consulates-general in Atlanta, Los Angeles