By Yi Whan-woo
The United States Forces Korea (USFK) has pushed back the complete relocation of its major bases to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, by two years to the end of 2018, according to military and provincial officials, Sunday.
In cooperation with the government, the U.S. planned to move the USFK and Eighth Army headquarters from Yongsan Garrison in central Seoul as well as the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek by December.
But the relocation project, which began on Jan. 24, 2005, has been delayed partly due to a change in the moving schedules of the related American troops, officials said.
They said the pushback was also caused by a delay in the construction of the buildings, warehouses, roads, sewage facilities and other infrastructure that are needed to accommodate the increased number of troops at Camp Humphreys.
The USFK was not available for comment, while the Ministry of Defense assured that the relocation will be finished by 2018.
"We decided play safe and extended the relocation project although some 93 percent of building work has been completed," a ministry official said on condition of anonymity. "For instance, as part of the project, we need to pay the construction companies and complete paperwork with Pyeongtaek city officials. And these tasks should be carried out in a prudent manner."
The official also said the USFK headquarters and the Eighth Army are scheduled to fully move into Camp Humphreys around June and August 2017.
A different official said, "Most of the buildings that are still under construction at Camp Humphreys are accommodation for generals and other high-ranking officers."
"The number of such officers is lower than that of soldiers so we'll be able to complete building their new homes sometime in 2017. Moreover, it's the soldiers who will immediately need places to stay once their troops begin to move out from their current bases."
Under the $10.8 billion relocation project, South Korea pays for moving the USFK headquarters and the Eighth Army while the USFK pays for redeploying 2ID.
Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun downplayed concerns that the extension will increase the financial burden for both sides, saying "It won't be too problematic."
Moon also put aside speculation the postponement in the transfer of the U.S. wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces to Seoul is attributed to delay in the relocation project.
The two allies initially agreed to complete the OPCON transfer by December 2015, but later postponed the move to an unspecified date in the mid-2020s.
A military expert said it will be still "good for national security" to relocate the U.S. military bases as early as possible.
"I believe the postponement of the transfer of OPCON led to the delayed relocation of the American troops. Minimizing such a delay is critical in maintaining a perfect readiness posture against North Korea amid Pyongyang's growing military threats," said Yang Uk, a senior researcher at the Korea Defense and Security Forum.
Once completed, the size of Camp Humphreys will be increase from 1,041 acres to 3,453 acres.
It will be able to accommodate approximately 42,000 soldiers and their family members.
The United States Forces Korea (USFK) has pushed back the complete relocation of its major bases to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, by two years to the end of 2018, according to military and provincial officials, Sunday.
In cooperation with the government, the U.S. planned to move the USFK and Eighth Army headquarters from Yongsan Garrison in central Seoul as well as the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek by December.
But the relocation project, which began on Jan. 24, 2005, has been delayed partly due to a change in the moving schedules of the related American troops, officials said.
They said the pushback was also caused by a delay in the construction of the buildings, warehouses, roads, sewage facilities and other infrastructure that are needed to accommodate the increased number of troops at Camp Humphreys.
The USFK was not available for comment, while the Ministry of Defense assured that the relocation will be finished by 2018.
"We decided play safe and extended the relocation project although some 93 percent of building work has been completed," a ministry official said on condition of anonymity. "For instance, as part of the project, we need to pay the construction companies and complete paperwork with Pyeongtaek city officials. And these tasks should be carried out in a prudent manner."
The official also said the USFK headquarters and the Eighth Army are scheduled to fully move into Camp Humphreys around June and August 2017.
A different official said, "Most of the buildings that are still under construction at Camp Humphreys are accommodation for generals and other high-ranking officers."
"The number of such officers is lower than that of soldiers so we'll be able to complete building their new homes sometime in 2017. Moreover, it's the soldiers who will immediately need places to stay once their troops begin to move out from their current bases."
Under the $10.8 billion relocation project, South Korea pays for moving the USFK headquarters and the Eighth Army while the USFK pays for redeploying 2ID.
Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun downplayed concerns that the extension will increase the financial burden for both sides, saying "It won't be too problematic."
Moon also put aside speculation the postponement in the transfer of the U.S. wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces to Seoul is attributed to delay in the relocation project.
The two allies initially agreed to complete the OPCON transfer by December 2015, but later postponed the move to an unspecified date in the mid-2020s.
A military expert said it will be still "good for national security" to relocate the U.S. military bases as early as possible.
"I believe the postponement of the transfer of OPCON led to the delayed relocation of the American troops. Minimizing such a delay is critical in maintaining a perfect readiness posture against North Korea amid Pyongyang's growing military threats," said Yang Uk, a senior researcher at the Korea Defense and Security Forum.
Once completed, the size of Camp Humphreys will be increase from 1,041 acres to 3,453 acres.
It will be able to accommodate approximately 42,000 soldiers and their family members.
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