Defense minister calls for residents` cooperation on U.S. base relocation

Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung appealed for cooperation from residents and local governments to ensure the smooth relocation of U.S. military bases.

"The relocation plan is under way in consideration of local residents` convenience. I earnestly request local residents and governmental organizations to cooperate for the process to be completed early," he told reporters Friday.

Korea and the United States have agreed to consolidate U.S. Forces Korea nationwide, including repositioning troops in the Yongsan Garrison and the 2nd Infantry Division to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, 70 kilometers south of Seoul.

The relocation plan faces opposition from residents and civic groups in the city.

"The U.S. forces made a great contribution to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and bilateral military relations between Korea and the United States are evolving to a new phase," Yoon said.

"I especially ask the residents to understand that the project will ultimately contribute to the national interests of both countries and the convenience of local residents."

The government started on June 14 to purchase land for the replacement facilities for the closed U.S. bases. It is supposed to finish buying the land in Pyeongtaek by the end of this year.

The relocation is part of the USFK plan to reduce the number of its troops to 25,000 by 2008.

The USFK closed eight military bases in 2004 and seven bases, including Camp Page in Chuncheon and Camp LaGuardia in Uijeongbu, this year.

Yoon also appealed for residents to understand the need to establish military training facilities as the U.S. Air Force suffers from insufficient firing ranges.

He said, "Training exercise is crucial for military security preparedness, and local residents` understanding is necessary to build effective defense capabilities."

As the Koon-Ni Range in Maehyang-ri, one of the two primary firing ranges for the U.S. Air Force, was closed down in August due to complaints from local residents, the two governments have been seeking an alternative firing range and tentatively chose Chik-do island off the western coast of Gunsan as the replacement.

But the plan has been snagged by harsh protests from local residents, citing the shooting noise and environmental degradation.

With a lack of an alternative range, the U.S. pilots stationed in Korea have often skipped shooting exercise and complained about insufficient training conditions. Some of them reportedly requested the Pentagon last month to reposition them out of Korea for that reason.

The U.S. Air Force currently share Pil Sung Range in northeastern Gangwon Province with the Korean Air Force.

(davidpooh@heraldm.com)



By Jin Dae-woong