Searching for an Alternative Site to Yongsan U.S. Army Base

U.S. Ambassador to Korea Thomas Hubbard said Feb.21, “Along with the South Korean government, the U.S. is searching for a site where Yongsan U.S. army base will be relocated.”

The American Ambassador attended at a seminar sponsored by Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, Heritage Foundation and Korea-U.S. Exchange Council that was held at the Seoul Plaza Hotel. At the seminar, he said, “In accordance with the Land Partnership Planning (LPP), the U.S. will return about the half of the site that the U.S. Army is currently occupying in Yongsan base to the Korean government.”

On the relocation of Yongsan U.S. army base, he explained, “Like Koreans, Americans want the bilateral relation between the two nations to be mature and well-balanced to meet the need of the 21st century. Last year, combining U.S. army bases in Korea has been under consideration since the U.S.-Korea defense ministers agreed to implement a joint study on the theme of challenge and opportunity that a new century is posing.”

The U.S. Ambassador continued, “The U.S.-Korea relations once went through difficult times and are in the process of overcoming difficulties facing the two nations. On the occasion of the inauguration of the first new Korean president in the 21st century, the U.S. is expecting a close cooperation with President Roh Moo-hyun.”

With respect to the issue of North Korea, “Although the U.S. wants to solve the North Korean nuclear issue through diplomatic efforts and dialogue, all the options are now on the table. One thing is clear here that is the North should realize that if it stops what it should not have done in the first place, it should not expect any compensation at all,” he added.

Young-Sik Kim spear@donga.com