The US military has formally ended a 70-year presence in the South Korean capital of Seoul on Friday, with the opening of a new military headquarters further south in the city of Pyeongtaek. The US has had forces in Seoul since shortly after World War 2.
The new base is further south, and therefore out of the range of North Korean artillery. The relocation has been planned for some time, though the priority is clearly lessened with North Korea in talks to relocate its artillery, and peace talks underway.
Still, US military brass are presenting the new base as proof of a “long-term commitment” to South Korea, a commitment that may not have any practical justification if the peace process is completed. The base cost $10.8 billion, and US officials are emphasizing that the South Koreans paid 90% of that.
Pyeongtaek is a port city on the western coast of South Korea. The new base, Camp Humphreys, is intended to accommodate 43,000 people by the end of 2022. South Korean officials have said they are keen to keep a large US military presence in their country, largely believing it is an economic boon for the host city.
Good, bad or so-so news to N.Koreans, US wanting–with S.Korea’s wishing– to remain in also united Korea?
How do you say “Superfund Site” in Korean?
슈퍼 펀드 사이트 (transliteration: syupeo peondeu saiteu)
I hate Google, but I love Google Translate! 🙂
How come there is never a nationwide vote in countries we have military forces as to whether or not those people want us there?
Because the GREATEST benefactor of the largesse IS THE GOVERNMENT. In places where the sentiment is vastly against US presence (like Okinawa for instance), the people are simply ignored. THAT is the kind of “freedom” our military spreads with its presence.
..or Iraq, Syria, Libya…….where a Quisling hasn’t been groomed yet.
Good point. The US government might find out that its “allies”, like many members of NATO, would prefer to do without the generous provisions of the US Big Brother protection.
Advance to the rear.
So “only” $1.08 billion of our taxpayer money goes to building the new base. I find it humorous how we downplay that kind of money because it’s such a small fraction of our overall spending. Never mind what $1.08 would pay for if it was used for any of the rebuilding projects our infrastructure sorely needs. And just think what $3.8 billion would buy.
“U.S. military base in South Korea mired in corruption scandal”
“Camp Humphreys, an $11 billion US Army garrison located in South Korea, is expanding. There could be 42,000 American soldiers and civilians living there by 2020. The camp resembles a typical small American city with a shopping mall, churches, a golf course, and even high school football. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump visited Camp Humphreys, an $11 billion US Army garrison that is now America’s largest overseas military base”
– economic boon for corrupt South Koreans, see headline above, and totally uncalled for expense of all these thousands of troops, their families, why are we paying them ? We should not pay them to live the life of Reilly in South Korea forever.
I wonder what it will cost to relocate all the prostitutes, drug dealers, golf courses, bars, and all the other “economic players” that receive the huge boost from the American presence?
Just the thing to ensure that the arrangement between N and S Korea NOT to attack each other, that the Trump wish to save money and the continuation of the just-begun process of peace are stillborn.
Vassals doing what vassals do.
So, yet again, another Great Trump Triumph is tosh, fluff. The SKs already pay $800 million a year for US protection. Will this move cost SK even more? So Trump’s “pullout” is merely a move. Typical.
So, yet again, another Great Trump Triumph is tosh, fluff. The SKs already pay $800 million a year for US protection. Will this move cost SK even more? So Trump’s “pullout” is merely a move. Typical.