S. Korean official supporting U.S. base relocation resigns over scandal

SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap) -- An advisor and former head of a South Korean unit
supporting the relocation of U.S. bases here resigned this week over a lobbying
scandal, the defense ministry said Friday.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, Park Byung-hee resigned after
allegations arose that he had a golf outing with members of a local construction
company in April last year and was possibly offered a bribe.
Park, who headed the unit until November when he retired as a major general, said
the outing took place before he took office in April and denied he was involved
in bribery, the ministry said.
Park has been an advisor to the unit since his retirement. Formed in 2006, the
unit deals with a broad range of matters, including planning, public relations
and budget implementation related to the relocation of U.S. bases in South Korea.
About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against
North Korea. The U.S. is currently working to relocate most of its frontline
bases to south of Seoul as part of its global realignment project.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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