Comments on: Pyeongtaek move to be delayed 5 years? WTF?

By: The Marmot’s Hole » Angry USFK commander threatens to ‘fight’ Pyeongtaek delays

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 08:38:17 +0000

[...] He also said he was surprised by Korean press reports (like this) claiming it would be impossible to move the bases by 2008. Expressing concern about those reports, he said they [the reports] were news to him and not the schedule Korea and the United States agreed to. [...]

By: exkorling

exkorling — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 22:25:10 +0000

Here’s the thing, Yongsan has been supposedly going to move to Pyongtaek for over 20 years now. When I was first in Korea and stationed at Camp Humphreys in 1983 we heard rumors that the move would take place before the Asian Games in 1986. A new 4-lane drive in gate was constructed, a lot of housing construction went on in Anjungni, then ZILCH! Money has always been the big sticking issue with the Koreans. They want the base out of Seoul they just don’t want to have to pay for it. Chances are, this move will only take place as a part of more troops leaving the peninsula or not at all.

By: Gerno

Gerno — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 23:01:40 +0000

Trust me when I say the the USFK wants to get out of the middle of Seoul. It makes no since to be here anymore. Logistically a nightmare, too much bad publicity, too expensive.

Also, there is no new constuction happening on Yongsan. Only repairs on existing buildings are authorized. The USFK is moving out of Seoul one way or another. It may be to Pyongtaek or Ft. Hood, but they want to and will be leaving Seoul. As far as money goes, don’t be surprised if the ROK Military (they claim ownership)gets their wish and sells off the land on Yongsan for apartments and other lucrative contruction to help pay for the move. Land prices outside gate 19 (Sinyongsan St) are going for 80,000,000won per pyong right now. Just think what they could get for the actual green ground.

By: yankeesfan_77

yankeesfan_77 — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 22:34:28 +0000

All I can say is that all the Canadian ET’s and eurorash have to wait a little longer to own Itaewon. Admit it, thats the reason you want USFK to move to Pyongtaek or leave completly

By: Gillian

Gillian — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 22:07:12 +0000

Ah, but now the plot thickens………….
http://times.hankooki.com/lpag.....111990.htm

By: rokcp1303

rokcp1303 — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 15:49:33 +0000

Sooo, why in the frigging hell did they send Seoul based metro/combat police to pyeontaek, if they weren’t going to build it anyway? It just makes me angry.

By: usinkorea

usinkorea — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 14:41:55 +0000

I’ve always said the power of the status quo is great. It never seems easy to wipe away mammoth bureacracies and such.

I never believed the US would be out even with Rumsfeld in office, because disconnecting would clearly take longer than the Bush term, and it is too easy to change course to return to the status quo unless a tipping point has been reached, and today, I don’t think we have passed or even gotten close to a tipping point.

By: Paul H.

Paul H. — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 14:11:40 +0000

I have to agree with the key event being the departure of Rumsfeld; in his absence I have no confidence that Pres Bush will get engaged in this issue, though I will watch with interest future developments/pronoucements during the upcoming Korean esidential election year.

I think a future “President Hillary Clinton” would also find it politically convenient to let things go stringing along as they are now, assuming no “drastic” changes in the situation.

But — a future President Giuliani, or even better Pres McCain! In these cases I hope for some personal Presidential involvement/ interest in this issue, with an eye to getting the US out of the center of the Korean problem.

And thus putting the onus for it where it belongs — on the back of the ROK goverment (regardless of party), and that means on the backs of the ROK citizens who vote and who (presumably) should be the ones to man the armed forces responsible for its defense — especially the entirety of its ground defense.

By: Breaktrack

Breaktrack — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 10:43:31 +0000

I think they should move the base back to the US. That way soldiers won’t have to think about being deployed to such an ungrateful country. Yes, I know not all Korean’s are that way, but let’s face it, most younger Koreans don’t appreciate the truth about how there country achieved and maintains it prosperity until something happens with the NORKS. I like what David Hackworth (RIP)had to say about Korea in his book HAZARDOUS DUTY.

By: el kayakista

el kayakista — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 10:41:08 +0000

if the Korean GOV really wants the US Military out of Korea, then they WILL find the money. apparently Korea can’t seem to make up their mind or let go of the protection we provide for them. let’s face it, the ROK military is at an infant stage… they’re not ready to let go and walk the walk. they sure do talk the talk… but it a lot of hot air. make up your minds!