SEOUL, March 20 (UPI) -- The United States will spend billions to shoulder half the costs of relocating and consolidating U.S. military facilities in South Korea.
The cost-sharing agreement, reached after 17 months of negotiations, was announced in Seoul and reported by The Korea Herald Tuesday.
"The Korean side is expected to spend 4.58 trillion won ($4.86) billion constructing the new military base and facilities, about 50 percent of the total cost ...," Maj. Gen. Kwon Haing-keun, chief of the government's relocation bureau, said. "The remaining ... (amount) will be paid by the U.S. side under the principle of even cost sharing."
Under the revamp plan, a total of 42 U.S. military facilities in South Korea will be consolidated into two hub locations -- in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi province, and in the Daegu region.
Included in the move would be Yongsan, the principle U.S. facility in the country.
Thirty-five of the bases and the seven training facilities now under U.S. control would be transferred to South Korean control.
The South Koreans said the cost estimates, however, were still flexible and negotiations on details were continuing.
The master plan for relocation and consolidation still must be given final approval by a joint U.S.-South Korean Status of Forces committee.
South Korea and the United States first agreed in principle on a relocation and consolidation effort in 2004.
The United States had more than 37,000 military personnel in South Korea -- a boots-on-the-ground deterrent to an attack by North Korea -- but is now reducing the number.
The Korea Herald quoted military officials as saying the two countries next March will choose a company or consortium to construct new facilities.
