By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter

Gen. Walter Sharp, commander of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), indicated that it could take five or six years before U.S. troops move to a consolidated military base south of the Han River due to the size and complexity of the massive relocation project.

Sharp, who also serves as chief of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command and the United Nations Command, made the remarks in an interview with the Stars and Stripes, a U.S. military news paper.

The four-star general didn't give an exact date for the move, according to the newspaper. The base relocation had been set by previous USFK commanders for 2008 and later for 2012.

The move of U.S. troops to south of Seoul is part of a broader U.S. military realignment abroad and also a major step in the USFK shifting to a supporting role in the next few years as the South Korean military assumes the key responsibility for its national defense.

Observers see the mission of Camp Humphreys, the consolidated base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, will be gradually less focused on the threat from North Korea and more on threats elsewhere in the region. Works to expand the camp are under way with investment of some $13 billion.

"We're progressing well," Sharp said, adding there are still difficulties coordinating construction and moving troops and their families.

The move to Humphreys will roughly halve the number of U.S. military installations in South Korea from about 105 to 45, said the commander.

Sharp said he was satisfied with the results of the latest Key Resolve joint war exercises with the ROK military, which ended last Thursday.

Part of the exercise tackled what the two countries would do during and before a North Korean attack, including trying to deescalate the crisis before it turns into a war and how to bring in additional troops, he said.

Citing the South Korean staff's active participation in the simulation-driven command-post exercise, Sharp said, "They were in the battle rhythm of us making decisions, of us coordinating with them, of them giving recommendations.

"It was more than them just watching us. It was them participating with us," he added.

South Korean commanders will take over operational control of their troops during wartime beginning April 17, 2012. Currently, the USFK commander holds the responsibility.

About 28,000 U.S. forces are stationed here as a deterrent against North Korea.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr