ID :
57069
Thu, 04/23/2009 - 16:43
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/57069
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea, U.S. yet to finalize agreement on U.S. base relocation
(ATTN: UPDATES; ADDS background throughout)
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, April 23 (Yonhap) -- High-level negotiations between South Korea and the
United States ended Thursday without finalizing a timeline and cost-sharing plans
for the relocation of American bases here, an official said.
The U.S. has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against North
Korea as the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce rather than a peace treaty. It
has been pushing to relocate most of its forces south of the capital, Seoul, as
part of a global troop realignment.
The U.S. argues the relocation can only be completed by 2016, while South Korea
has called for an earlier deadline arguing that inflation could significantly
raise the costs involved as time lapses.
During their talks at the Combined Forces Command, South Korean Vice Defense
Minister Chang Soo-man and U.S. Gen. Walter Sharp made "considerable progress" in
narrowing their differences over the issue but agreed to meet again sometime next
week, Lee Jae-young, a spokesman for the joint unit overseeing the relocation,
said.
"The two sides held earnest discussions and expanded their understanding of
related issues," Lee told reporters. "A substantial agreement could come next
week."
The meeting is seen as largely focused on the timetable for the relocation of
Yongsan Garrison and the 2nd Infantry Division to Pyeongtaek, about 70 kilometers
south of Seoul.
Yongsan Garrison is based in Seoul while the infantry division is headquartered
in the city of Dongducheon, north of the capital.
South Korea says the garrison should be moved to Pyeongtaek by 2014 and the
infantry division by 2015. The U.S. has stuck to 2016 for both bases.
South Korea will reportedly shoulder up to 5.5 trillion won (US$4 billion), while
the U.S. will pay 6.8 trillion won ($5 billion) for the entire relocation.
The U.S. had already delayed the target year set for the relocation in July. It
sought a further delay late last year after estimating the expansion of its
Pyeongtaek base to accommodate the relocation by 2015 would require twice the
budget it could procure.
South Korea balked at the request and said its share of the costs would increase
by nearly 50 percent from such delay.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, April 23 (Yonhap) -- High-level negotiations between South Korea and the
United States ended Thursday without finalizing a timeline and cost-sharing plans
for the relocation of American bases here, an official said.
The U.S. has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against North
Korea as the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce rather than a peace treaty. It
has been pushing to relocate most of its forces south of the capital, Seoul, as
part of a global troop realignment.
The U.S. argues the relocation can only be completed by 2016, while South Korea
has called for an earlier deadline arguing that inflation could significantly
raise the costs involved as time lapses.
During their talks at the Combined Forces Command, South Korean Vice Defense
Minister Chang Soo-man and U.S. Gen. Walter Sharp made "considerable progress" in
narrowing their differences over the issue but agreed to meet again sometime next
week, Lee Jae-young, a spokesman for the joint unit overseeing the relocation,
said.
"The two sides held earnest discussions and expanded their understanding of
related issues," Lee told reporters. "A substantial agreement could come next
week."
The meeting is seen as largely focused on the timetable for the relocation of
Yongsan Garrison and the 2nd Infantry Division to Pyeongtaek, about 70 kilometers
south of Seoul.
Yongsan Garrison is based in Seoul while the infantry division is headquartered
in the city of Dongducheon, north of the capital.
South Korea says the garrison should be moved to Pyeongtaek by 2014 and the
infantry division by 2015. The U.S. has stuck to 2016 for both bases.
South Korea will reportedly shoulder up to 5.5 trillion won (US$4 billion), while
the U.S. will pay 6.8 trillion won ($5 billion) for the entire relocation.
The U.S. had already delayed the target year set for the relocation in July. It
sought a further delay late last year after estimating the expansion of its
Pyeongtaek base to accommodate the relocation by 2015 would require twice the
budget it could procure.
South Korea balked at the request and said its share of the costs would increase
by nearly 50 percent from such delay.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
