U.S. Army headquarters to stay

The United States has scrapped an idea to relocate its key Army headquarters here to Hawaii, in a move meant to reaffirm its commitment to the defense of South Korea, a military source said yesterday.

"I understand that the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and the U.S. Army have accepted the proposal by U.S. Forces Korea that the 8th Army headquarters should remain in Korea as a symbol of (U.S. military commitment) to the defense of the peninsula," said the source.

The United States has been mulling over moving the 8th Army headquarters to Hawaii by 2012, when the wartime operational control of the Korean military is handed over to Seoul.

As part of the transformation of its military posture worldwide, Washington has been planning to move the 8th Army headquarters and reshape its body to a new unit named Operation Command Post-Korea.

The USFK said in a statement, " The 8th Army never announced a move to Hawaii ... The 8th Army is remaining in the Republic of Korea."



The South Korean Defense Ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff have asked the U.S. military not to relocate the Army headquarters.

"The continuing presence of the 8th Army headquarters in South Korea can mean smooth cooperation between Korea and the United States during wartime. As a result, the troop deployment time in case of contingencies can also be reduced," a military official said.

In February, USFK commander Gen. Walter Sharp indicated he intended to scrap the relocation plan. At a meeting with Korean lawmakers, Sharp said he had suggested to U.S. Army staff that they should retain the 8th U.S. Army headquarters and that his proposal is likely to be accepted.

Experts say that by having the headquarters remain on the peninsula, the U.S. military can avoid triggering misunderstandings that the relocation of the administrative and supporting unit, consisting of some 150 staffers, could weaken the long-standing military alliance between Seoul and Washington.

The 8th Army headquarters is likely to offer administrative support to a new top U.S. military command, called KORCOM, which will replace the current USFK after the operational control turnover in April 2012.

KORCOM, which will oversee the 8th Army headquarters and the 2nd Infantry Division, is expected to be created in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, next year.

The 8th Army fought for South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War. It has been stationed on the peninsula since 1955 as a main deterrent against North Korea.

(sshluck@heraldm.com)



By Song Sang-ho