U.S., S. Korea mulling delay of troop relocation

[unhappycamper]

U.S., S. Korea mulling delay of troop relocation
By T.D. Flack and Hwang Hae-rym, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Wednesday, January 7, 2009

The United States and South Korea are negotiating a proposal that could delay the relocation of U.S. Forces Korea from Seoul by two years, according to the Ministry of National Defense.

Under the current agreement between the countries, the headquarters in Seoul and the 2nd Infantry Division that sits sprawled along the demilitarized zone are to relocate about 40 miles south of the capital to Camp Humphreys by 2012.

A ministry spokesman, speaking on the customary condition of anonymity, also said Monday that the 2nd Infantry Division’s move could be delayed until 2016.

The spokesman said negotiators have agreed on some parts of the proposal, but no final decision has been made in the overall timetable.

~snip~

The spokesman said U.S. officials are pushing for delays because of budgetary concerns, but that South Korea wants the relocation as quickly as possible.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=59820