U.S. returns 12 military sites to S. Korea, including some at Yongsan Garrison
(2nd LD) U.S. returns 12 military sites to S. Korea, including some at Yongsan Garrison
All News 16:36 December 11, 2020
Yonhap News By Oh Seok-min
During a virtual joint committee session of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), Seoul and Washington agreed on the return of the sites, though they failed to bridge differences on who and how to shoulder environmental cleanup costs, Seoul officials said.
But the two sides agreed to continue consultations on procedures for joint contamination surveys, contamination management criteria and other outstanding issues going forward, they said....
...It is the first time that sites at the Yongsan complex -- the erstwhile U.S. military headquarters -- have been handed over to South Korean control. Seoul plans to establish a national park there.
The other returned sites are the Camp Walker heliport in the southeastern city of Daegu; Camp Jackson and Camp Mobile in the northern cities of Uijeongbu and Dongducheon, respectively;
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20201211005452325?input=tw
Other sites slated for return are discussed in the article, along with a discussion of the US environmental polution left behind, and the dispute over who should pay to clean it up.
CRK7376
(2,226 posts)area well. Spent a year walking or riding my bike to and from work through the Garrison, actually walked/rode bike behind the HQ building along Stinky Creek to get to work or home from work. I had a 2 mile commute from my apartment to my office near the USO Canteen. Wonderful year in Korea other than the year separation from my famly who stayed stateside.
i was stationed there for almost 3 years. "best kept secret" in the Army. First i had an apartment on the Han River. Later i lived in Hannam Dong. Fortunately my family was with me. traveled widely in South Korea.
CRK7376
(2,226 posts)was up in Itaewon about 300m south of the Grand Hyatt, great view of the Han River and Building 63. Tough year without my family, but a great place to serve, beautiful country and friendly people.
soryang
(3,306 posts)i'm still there in spirit. watch S. Korean programming every day. Ondemandkorea.com and viki.com. i've been writing about Korean affairs, culture and politics since I retired. It's just a hobby.
https://civilizationdiscontents.blogspot.com/
A little disappointed in the Netflix South Korean dramas. My Country isn't too bad.