Two U.S. bases in Korea likely to close next year

Two U.S. military bases in central Korea will likely close next year as part of ongoing plans to consolidate American forces here, their command said Tuesday, according to Yonhap News.

The U.S. has 28,500 troops stationed in Korea as a deterrent against North Korea -- a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War that ended in a truce instead of a peace treaty.

As part of its global realignment plan, the U.S. is moving to relocate its forces to two modern bases under construction south of Seoul by 2016.

The Eighth U.S. Army (EUSA) said Tuesday in a news release that the closure of Camps Eagle and Long in the city of Wonju, 132km east of the Korean capital, "is expected to occur in 2010."

It did not specify in which month the closure will take place, only saying it has yet to be determined.

The installations, home to 386 U.S. and Korean military and civilian personnel according to the release, are two of dozens of bases set to be returned to Korea.

"Benefits of this plan include a less intrusive presence in congested urban areas, increased safety for people in communities throughout the country and consolidated installations that will promote a higher quality of life," the EUSA said.