By Nam Hyun-woo
The Eighth U.S. Army Commander Lt. Gen. Bernard Champoux's letter hinting U.S. troops might remain north of the Han River for years to come sparked a backlash from the municipal government of Dongducheon, a northeastern city home to two American military installations.
According to the city government on Wednesday, Champoux sent a letter on Dec. 4 to Dongducheon Mayor Oh Se-chang containing details of U.S. forces' plan to stay in the city.
Champoux wrote: "At this time, our alliance is considering, but has not made any decisions, regarding a residual of U.S. forces north of the Han River.
"We continue to explore options to align our forces for the optimal position to defend against threats," he wrote.
"Should the alliance determine a revision to the Land Partnership Plan (LPP) or Strategic Alliance 2015 is required, our governments will consider many options in order to provide the greatest mutual benefit to our alliance and to the defense of South Korea," the commander added.
Under the LPP, drawn up in 2002, Washington promised to pay for the move of the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID), whose soldiers are stationed in camps in the northern part of South Korea, including Camp Casey and Camp Hovey in Dongducheon. The 2ID is scheduled to move by 2016 to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, where a consolidated U.S. military base is being expanded.
In reaction to the letter, the Dongducheon government sent a proposal to the headquarters of the Eighth Army, urging the implementation of the LPP.
An official of the city government said, "The city has pushed for development of areas granted to U.S. forces which will be returned after the Army leaves. If U.S. military camps do not move, the whole development project will have been planned in vain."
The Dongducheon City Council is also strongly opposed to the U.S. Army staying in town. On Tuesday, council members and civic groups held a protest at Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, and delivered a written protest to the U.S. Embassy to Korea.
The Eighth U.S. Army Commander Lt. Gen. Bernard Champoux's letter hinting U.S. troops might remain north of the Han River for years to come sparked a backlash from the municipal government of Dongducheon, a northeastern city home to two American military installations.
According to the city government on Wednesday, Champoux sent a letter on Dec. 4 to Dongducheon Mayor Oh Se-chang containing details of U.S. forces' plan to stay in the city.
Champoux wrote: "At this time, our alliance is considering, but has not made any decisions, regarding a residual of U.S. forces north of the Han River.
"We continue to explore options to align our forces for the optimal position to defend against threats," he wrote.
"Should the alliance determine a revision to the Land Partnership Plan (LPP) or Strategic Alliance 2015 is required, our governments will consider many options in order to provide the greatest mutual benefit to our alliance and to the defense of South Korea," the commander added.
Under the LPP, drawn up in 2002, Washington promised to pay for the move of the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID), whose soldiers are stationed in camps in the northern part of South Korea, including Camp Casey and Camp Hovey in Dongducheon. The 2ID is scheduled to move by 2016 to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, where a consolidated U.S. military base is being expanded.
In reaction to the letter, the Dongducheon government sent a proposal to the headquarters of the Eighth Army, urging the implementation of the LPP.
An official of the city government said, "The city has pushed for development of areas granted to U.S. forces which will be returned after the Army leaves. If U.S. military camps do not move, the whole development project will have been planned in vain."
The Dongducheon City Council is also strongly opposed to the U.S. Army staying in town. On Tuesday, council members and civic groups held a protest at Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, and delivered a written protest to the U.S. Embassy to Korea.
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