U.S. Dismantles 8th Army Headquarters

The U.S. defense ministry plans to dismantle the 8th U.S. Army in Korea by the end of 2008 and incorporate it into the U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii.

The specific date of the dismantlement of the 8th U.S. Army as the part of the U.S. Army realignment process and Global Defense Posture Review (GPR) was revealed for the first time.

On September 29, a U.S. Army source reported that the U.S. defense ministry is pushing ahead with a dismantling plan of the 8th U.S. Army by the end of 2008 when the U.S. Army realignment in Korea is implemented. The plan includes the relocation of Yongsan Garrison and the reduction of American soldier levels up to 12,500.

As the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division was realigned to UEX with enhanced mobility and firepower last year, this move is designed to streamline the sophisticated command lines of the U.S. forces in Korea and improve efficiency of U.S-ROK military operations in the event of war. The U.S. 2nd Infantry Division that has been under the command of the 8th U.S. Army is likely to be under the control of USJFT-K replacing the current USFK from 2008.

According to the U.S. sources, last year saw the incorporation or dissolving of many force units under the 8th U.S. Command. That has led to the loss of the command control of the 8th U.S. Command. The U.S. Army now sees no reason to maintain the 8th U.S. Command.

Burwell Bell, commander of U.S. Forces, held a press conference at Yongsan Garrison, Seoul and said, “During the Korean war, the 8th U.S. Command played its role as the headquarters for the war. But now its role has changed to supporting the build-up of troops in contingent cases.” His remarks indicated the disbanding of the 8th U.S. Forces.

He continued “Over the last five years, the structure of the U.S. Army is overhauled in response to the era of industrialization and widespread information usage. The matter is not whether the 8th U.S. force is dissolved, but which force is needed more build-up in the case of war.”

ysh1005@donga.com