NSC to push for swift return of USFK bases

Posted on : 2019-09-01 13:15 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Move intended to reduce “resident inconveniences and return costs,” says Blue House
Camp Long
Camp Long

The Blue House National Security Council (NSC) made a decision on Aug. 30 to push actively for the swift return of 26 US military bases in South Korea.

“This is intended to reduce resident inconveniences and return costs, which have been rising as a result of the return’s delay, and the US has already been given advanced notice,” the Blue House said.

But some analysts called the decision a strategic move aimed at conveying a message of protest to the US for siding with Tokyo on the termination of the South Korea-Japan General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), while increasing Seoul’s bargaining position for future defense cost contribution negotiations.

Following a standing committee meeting presided over by director Chung Eui-yong, the NSC announced that day that it had “decided to actively pursue the completion of relocations to the Pyeongtaek base and elsewhere based on the US Forces Korea relocation plan and the swift return of a total of 26 US bases scheduled for relocation.”

“Return procedures for the Yongsan base are to be initiated within the year, and we plan to push for four bases that are currently experiencing long delays with their return – Camp Long and Camp Eagle in Wonju, Camp Market in Bupyeong, and the Camp Hovey shooting range in Dongducheon – to be returned as soon as possible,” it added.

A Blue House official explained that “54 of the 80 US military bases to be returned have been returned, while [return procedures are] under way for the other 26.”

“This is intended in particular to reduce the various economic and social difficulties occurring locally amid delays in the return of the four [bases] in Wonju, Bupyeong, and Dongducheon,” the official added. The returns of the four bases in Wonju and elsewhere are being delayed amid the US’ claims that there are no environmental contamination issues with the locations and South Korea’s insistence on the need for investigations.

A Blue House official stressed that “the issue of the bases’ swift return is a matter that the US was given advance notice about and has nothing to do with current diplomatic or security issues.”

“The US also understands. This is not an area where there is conflict,” the official said.

By Seong Yeon-cheol, Staff writer

Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]

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