Former US Army Bases Face Redevelopment
The Ministry of Public Administration and Security and local governments will use more than 1.5 trillion won this year in developing 16 former USFK bases and their surroundings into green technology complexes and cultural districts.
Central government will contribute 312 billion won with the rest coming from local governments and private investors.
The move is part of a 10-year, 38.7-trillion-won development project that started in 2008 on the former base sites.
In Euijeongbu and Dongducheon in northern Gyeonggi Province, parks, public administrative offices and other facilities will be housed in the former American bases, while Camp Hialeah in Busan, Camp Walker in Daegu and Camp Page in Chuncheon will be redeveloped.
The education ministry will support construction of a marine and astronomy park in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province; and a cultural industrial cluster in Daegu.
Private companies will invest in creating a tourism-leisure complex in Pocheon; Ewha Womans University campus in Paju; and tourist attractions near a lake in Pyeongtaek - all in Gyeonggi Province.
"Many of the USFK bases were situated with a good view, good infrastructure as well as other favorable conditions. The development will be a boost to the local economy," the ministry said.
The government has recently taken over Camp Hialeah from the USFK and 41 more bases will be turned over to Korea by 2014.