YONHAP NEWS

Seoul, Washington conclude negotiations on relocation of nine U.S. bases

SEOUL, June 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has concluded its negotiations with the United States on the relocation of nine U.S. military bases in its country, the Foreign Ministry said Friday.

   The process was concluded Thursday as a joint committee under the South Korea-United States status of forces agreement (SOFA) approved and signed the agreement on the relocation of the bases, the ministry said.

   "After taking necessary steps for the efficent use of the land at an early date, the government plans to consult with local autonomous bodies to map out how to use the returned land," the ministry said in a press release.

   The relocation of the bases are part of a long-term, multi-billion dollar project to realign and move the U.S. forces in South Korea further south to the rear of the inter-Korean border.

   The bases to be relocated include Camp Edwards in Paju, just north of Seoul, Camp Sears and Camp Essayons, both also just north of the South Korean capital, according to the ministry.

   The agreement, however, comes amid strong protests from civic organizations over the cost of cleaning up the bases that they claim to have been polluted and contaminated beyond repair through years of U.S. use.

   Seoul estimates the relocation of the U.S. bases to the southern city of Pyeongtaek would cost some 9 trillion won (US$9.7 billion), about half of which Seoul has promised to shoulder.

   Observers say an additional 1 billion won ($1.07 billion) will be added to South Korea's costs to purchase the land to house the U.S. forces in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul.

   "We concluded the negotiating process as of (May) 31 as the sides had agreed to conclude it by June 1 at recent defense talks known as the Security Policy Initiative in Washington," said an official, who asked not to be identified.

   bdk@yna.co.kr
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