Government to Complete the Land Purchase Deal of the USFK Bases Relocation Site in Pyongtaek by Next Year

The Ministry of National Defense announced that they plan to complete the purchase of the 3,490,000-pyong alternative site in the Pyongtaek area in the Gyeonggi province by the end of next year. The site was designated for the relocation site for bases of the USFK’s Yongsan and the 2nd Division.

Nam Dae-yon, public information officer at the Defense Ministry, said on August 6, “Currently, Korea and the U.S. are discussing ways to purchase a 740,000-pyong site around Camp Humphrey, a USFK base in Pyongtaek, and to complete the purchase of the remaining 2,750,000-pyong by next year.”

He responded to the Dong-A Ilbo article on August 6, which stated, “The U.S. has requested half of the Pyongtaek site within this year,” by explaining, “It is true that the U.S. has suggested that, but discussions are currently in process to adjust the schedule since the request is impossible in practice.”

The ministry added, “The area around Hoihwa-ri, Seotan-myon in Pyongtaek that was mentioned as the alternative site (the second area around the Osan Air Force Base, as covered in the Dong-A Ilbo on August 6) is being reconsidered to other areas, but the rest of the site will continue to be offered as the alternative site for the USFK base.”

In addition, the ministry also intends to implement plans to support the local residents with the Special Law on U.S. Forces Bases Relocation Plan, which is scheduled to be submitted to the National Assembly next month. Details of the special law include establishing a collective relocation site, providing rental housing, founding the life stability subsidy, and others, considering the damages to the local residents caused by the USFK bases relocation.

Ho-Won Choi bestiger@donga.com