Discussion on Relocation of Camp Yongsan Resumed after 8 Years

The discussion about the relocation of the Yongsan U.S. military base in Seoul is resumed after eight and half year suspension. The Ministry of National Defense and the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) agreed to organize a Korea-U.S. High-level Consultation Meeting to deal with the relocation of the Yongsan Military Base and the project of apartment construction in Yongsan Base.

And both sides had their 1st meeting at the Defense Ministry office and agreed to resume the consideration on the relocation of the Yongsan Base. In the meeting, Cha Young-Koo, Deputy Minister for Defense Policy and Daniel R. Zanini, U.S. Armed Forces Korea commander (Deputy Chief of Staff of CFC) attended as chief delegates.

The USAFK announced it`s official standpoint saying that, "USAFK is ready to relocate its base if proper alternative land and facilities were provided.". The Yongsan Base relocation plan was promoted from 1989 but has been put aside because of the opposition of residents and the budget matters. The proposed land was 260.000 pyong area in the vicinity of the Osan Air Force Base, but the purchase plan was canceled in June 1993, and no discussion has proceeded since then.

Sung Dong-Ki esprit@donga.com