The process of returning U.S. Forces Korea's military installations back to South Korea has been delayed numerous times,.... and recently, South Korea's presidential office called for more urgency on the process.
Lee Ji-won reports.
U.S. Forces Korea says it's ready to promptly return some of its military bases in the country, as requested by the South Korean government.
In a statement Wednesday, the USFK said 15 of its 26 military installations in South Korea have already been cleared out, which includes the four sites, specifically requested by Seoul.
They are Shea Range, Camps Eagle and Long and parcels of Camp Market.
Their return has been slow due to the need to clean up the polluted land.
The USFK also said 5 parcels of the Yongsan Garrison, located in a prime real estate area in central Seoul, is also ready for transfer.
There are, however, some critics who say the US Forces' move is related to Seoul and Washington's frustration with each other over South Korea's recent decision to terminate its military-information sharing pact with Japan due to its loss of trust in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, South Korea's Foreign Affairs Minister Kang Kyung-wha will tour Camp Humphreys and Osan Airbase on Friday.
The ministry says Kang meant to visit the soldiers earlier to encourage them, but she hasn't had the chance until now.
She will meet with USFK Commander Robert Abrams to reaffirm their strong alliance and emphasize the need for close coordination for peace and the denuclearization of the Peninsula.
They are also expected to touch upon the upcoming negotiations on their defense cost sharing deal for next year.
With Seoul and Washington expected to resume those talks soon,... it remains to be seen if or how the prompt return of the military bases will affect those negotiations.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.