S. Korea to Move U.S. Base From Capital

SEOUL, South Korea -- South Korea will spend $3 billion to buy land and move a sprawling U.S. military base from the capital, officials said Saturday.

The United States and South Korea agreed in June to relocate the 8th U.S. Army's 800-acre Yongsan Garrison, which now occupies prime real estate in central Seoul.

For the relocation, South Korea will start buying land early next year near Pyeongtaek and Osan, two towns 37 miles south of Seoul, the government said after a Cabinet meeting Saturday. The U.S. military already has an air base at Osan.

About the Yongsan area, Prime Minister Goh Kun said: "I hope the government will build a park that can be compared to New York's Central Park."

more............

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-skorea-us-military,0,1175573.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines

I can only guess that the enviromental cleanup is going to be massive....

The Koreans have been trying to get Yongsan since the '70s and perhaps before. It has always been a headquarters post, with no training, live fire, or even many troops. Aside from office buildings, its primary attractions are a nice hotel and the best golf course in Seoul. The only environmental cleanup will be the base service station. Compared to many parts of Korea, it's in pristine shape.

I thought that was returned a few years ago.

I can't imagine the Koreans tearing down the Dragon Hill Lodge. It is beautiful. It was built in 1989. I would think that it would be ideal for the ministry of defense to host visiting dignitaries. However it is small by modern standards. That was built with money the Koreans used to purchase the Naija Hotel which was owned by a US military instrumentality.

What will happen to the United Nations Command facilities?

It would be super if Yongsan could be turned into a park. I'm sure a lot of business people have their eye on such premium land for commercial development.