Seoul, U.S. to finalize troop relocation plan this week

South Korea and the United States are expected to hold another round of talks on Friday to finalize their discussions on the costs and exact timeframe for the relocation of U.S. troops stationed here.

Vice Defense Minister Chang Soo-man will be discussing related issues with Gen. Walter Sharp, commander of the U.S. Forces Korea. Sharp also heads the Combined Forces Command.

The two appeared to be close to a consensus during their previous round of talks on April 23, but the Defense Ministry had said further discussion on the details were necessary to finalize the deal.

During last week`s discussions, the two sides reportedly agreed on relocating Yongsan Garrison to Pyeongtaek by 2014, and the Second Infantry by 2015.

But they were unable to agree on issues mostly concerning the infrastructure for the base relocation, sources said.

The U.S. side reportedly demanded a guarantee from the South Korean government on the continuation of a 1.7 trillion won ($1.2 billion) project for building rental homes for U.S. troops and their families. This is as an increasingly number of family members are residing in Pyeongtaek on the U.S. Department of Defenses` latest decision to allow more accompanied visits.

A consortium led by Samsung Corp. is currently in charge of the project, but the U.S. raised concerns about the future management of the rental apartments should the government refuse to provide guarantees.

The Vice Defense Minister reportedly refused, and the two sides will continue to haggle for a consensus on Friday, ministry sources said.

Seoul had earlier called for 2014 as the deadline for the relocation of Yongsan Garrison and 2015 for the Second Infantry.

But Washington has reportedly pushed for a later date for both Yongsan and the Second Infantry, possibly after 2016, citing cost problems.

Regarding costs, each side is looking to bear a smaller portion.

For now, Seoul is expected to shoulder about half of the costs by pitching in 5.5 trillion won ($4 billion), excluding the 3 trillion won it would separately offer to help support the construction projects. Washington is expected to bear about 6.8 trillion won of the costs.

There is a 28,500-strong U.S. military presence here as a war deterrent, mostly against North Korea.

The two allies earlier agreed to move the Yongsan Garrison and the Second Infantry in Dongducheon and Euijeongbu to Pyeongtaek as part of U.S. policies to reposition its global military forces to better cover the Asia Pacific region.

The relocation also means that the land the troops currently occupy will be returned to South Korea. Further, many expect Pyeongtaek and other cities in its vicinity to benefit from the inflow of troops.

In a move to capitalize on the opportunity, Gyeonggi Province has said it would seek admission criteria at the new schools to be built in Pyeongtaek to accommodate the new troops and their families.

A total of 18 primary, middle and high schools are expected to be built by 2020 at Pyeongtaek base.

By Kim Ji-hyun



(jemmie@heraldm.com)