U.S. Military Facility Relocation at Gwangju Base Nearing Completion

On October 30, National Security Office Director Wi Sung-lak announced that negotiations for the Korea-U.S. comprehensive agreement regarding the relocation of U.S. military facilities at Gwangju Base are nearing completion.

Speaking to reporters at the Blue House, Wi stated, "The U.S. hopes to include Gwangju Base in the comprehensive agreement, and we have no objections. The negotiations, which had stalled over several issues, have recently gained momentum and are almost finalized."

The U.S. and South Korea have been discussing the comprehensive agreement to facilitate the relocation of military facilities, including Gwangju Base. Once finalized, the agreement will establish a framework for the relocation of U.S. military facilities.

Wi addressed concerns that U.S. military facilities could hinder the establishment of semiconductor facilities in the Gwangju area, saying, "From the U.S. perspective, the need to relocate existing facilities may have come as unexpected news. We began discussions between the U.S. and South Korea immediately after the relevant decision was made."

He identified the establishment of alternative facilities as a key factor influencing the timing of the relocation. "Once alternative facilities are ready, the U.S. will move. If we want to accelerate the relocation timeline, we need to prepare alternative facilities more quickly," he said.

Wi added, "There is no indication that the U.S. intends to obstruct the relocation or engage in any form of 'land-grabbing' to gain leverage. Since a broad agreement has nearly been reached, we simply need to prepare for the alternative facilities, so there is no need to view this too seriously."