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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| SKors, U.S. disagree on military base relocation timetable |
| 2009-04-21 |
| Chang Soo-man, vice minister of national defense and General Walter Sharp, the head of the U.S. Forces South Korea (USFK), will be engaged in high-level discussions next Thursday on the final details of the time table and expenses for the relocation of USFK bases to Pyeongtaek. In previous discussions on the timetable and expenses of the relocation of the Yongsan Army Garrison and the U.S. Army’s Second Infantry Division, South Korea and the United States had established a broad framework for the scale of each country’s share in expenses, however, they have been at odds on the issue of the time. Both sides agreed to issue a final draft agreement in September of last year, but that agreement has been postponed several times. The previous agreement held between the two countries outlined that South Korea would bear something in the area of 5 to 5.5 trillion won of the costs, while the U.S. would bear 6.8 trillion won. However, according to an official of South Korea's Defense Ministry, South Korea will have to bear a considerable number of other costs besides the move expenses formally agreed upon with the U.S. The official also said that South Korea’s share of the expenses did not include 3 trillion won in project support costs, including support to the city of Pyeongtaek. Moreover, as the U.S. has been showing signs that it is reluctant to bear costs for environmental clean-up prior to land return, it appears likely that South Korea will have to spend money on hazardous waste clean-up. No headway has been made on the two sides’ differing opinions regarding the time-table for the move either. South Korea has suggested that the Yongsan Army Garrison relocation should be complete by 2014 and the U.S. Second Infantry Division bases in Dongducheon and Uijeongbu by 2015. Meanwhile, the U.S. is citing a lack of money and is countering that the base moves should be put off until 2016 or later. A South Korean military official, who also asked for anonymity, said,“We're proposing to move up the schedule if possible, out of consideration of complaints from residents in Pyeongtaek, Dongducheon and Uijeongbu, the areas where either the U.S. military stations are or will be, however, the U.S. is saying that they need more time in order to get Congress to approve the budget necessary for the move.” |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #10 I think we should redeploy over the horizon, to Iraq /Jack "ass" Murtha |
| Posted by: Frank G 2009-04-21 20:19 |
| #9 What, we're taking crap from the SORKS now? How about we pull out all together, and you mooks can do it yourselves? |
| Posted by: mojo 2009-04-21 11:28 |
| #8 Itaewon was "popular with foreigners for its active and varied nightlife"- WIKI When I lived in Seoul, we learned that itaewon wasnt the only red light area. Apparently, the entire base was surrounded by them on all sides. Over by electronic city there were brothels, and USFK made it off-limits...so we never set foot there for fear of being busted. |
| Posted by: GirlThursday 2009-04-21 10:23 |
| #7 ..and Brothels going in where Yongsan used to be.. IIRC the brothels were already located south of the installation in Itaewon, the 'entertainment and shopping' district. Personally, I only shopped at the computer stores in the district. :) |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2009-04-21 10:15 |
| #6 Think Manhattan and Central Park. Yeah, I think the installation's 18 hole pro golf course qualifies for the latter. [Well, it was there in '88.] |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2009-04-21 10:09 |
| #5 Thats right, it is prime real estate. Once no longer a military installation, you'll see Cartier Watch stores, Outback Steakhouses, High End Apartment High Rises, and Brothels going in where Yongsan used to be. |
| Posted by: GirlThursday 2009-04-21 10:08 |
| #4 The South Koreans aren't losing any money. Land value rises and new development will make up for any relocation costs. Yongson is a square mile of prime land in downtown Seoul. Think Manhattan and Central Park. |
| Posted by: ed 2009-04-21 09:58 |
| #3 The official also said that South KoreaÂ’s share of the expenses did not include 3 trillion won in project support costs, including support to the city of Pyeongtaek As a taxpayer, let's put off until 2016 unless they forget about the 3 trillion won. |
| Posted by: Lumpy Angaith3743 2009-04-21 07:17 |
| #2 All you need to do is leave a MAG team if they want one and pull the rest. Long past due. If the S.Koreans can't handle it now, its their problem. End of discussion. Redeploy by cutting the replacement stream. Start sending what you need back home. Abandon the rest in place. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2009-04-21 07:15 |
| #1 "The US is citing a lack of money....put off until 2016 or later" > Originally, it was influential/potent elements within SOKOR's establishment that desired a delay. IN ANY CASE, SOKOR OR USA, ITS NOT A GOOD SIGN FOR GUAM [ Okinawa USMC Reloc timetable]. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2009-04-21 00:16 |