U.S., S. Korea agree on base relocation

SEOUL, June 1 (UPI) -- South Korea and the United States have signed a plan to relocate nine U.S. bases, the Foreign Ministry said Friday.

South Korea agreed in the pact signed Thursday to pay half the estimated cost of 9 trillion won ($9.7 billion) to move the bases, the Yonhap news agency reported. More money may be needed to purchase land in the southern city of Pyeongtaek.

Civic groups say the United States should pay for cleanup of toxic waste on bases outside Seoul, which they claim has made the land unusable.

The base relocation is part of a major shift in the military relationship between South Korea and the United States.