Dongducheon City, Home to 70% of the Nation's Unreturned U.S. Military-Contributed Land, Welcomes Support Act Amendment

Introduced by Rep. Kim Seongwon... Includes Higher National Subsidies and a Special Account
Mayor Park Hyungdeok: "The Nation Must Responsibly Respond to Regions That Sacrificed for National Security"

Dongducheon City in Gyeonggi Province, headed by Mayor Park Hyung-deok, said on November 12 that it welcomed a proposed amendment to expand central government funding for local governments with U.S. military-contributed land that has not been returned for an extended period. The city has 17.42 km2 of unreturned U.S. military-contributed land, accounting for about 70% of the nationwide total, according to the city.

A view of Dongducheon City Hall. Provided by Dongducheon City.

The amendment to the Special Act on Support for Areas, etc. Adjacent to Areas Affected by the United States Forces Korea, sponsored by National Assembly member Kim Seong-won, establishes a definition of long-term unreturned areas and provides for increased national subsidies to local governments with such areas. It also establishes a legal basis for creating a special account to support long-term unreturned areas.

Dongducheon City has provided 40.63 km2 of its total area of 95.66 km2 for use by the U.S. military. The city said it had asked lawmakers to develop specific support measures during the National Assembly’s review of the amendment and pass it promptly, so it could ease the financial burden caused by the prolonged non-return of the land and improve conditions for development.

The city plans to continue consulting with relevant agencies to secure the prompt return of long-term unreturned areas and expand support from the national government.

Dongducheon Mayor Park Hyung-deok said, "The issue of long-term unreturned land is one to which the national government must respond responsibly, given the sacrifices made by regions in the interest of national security. We will work with relevant agencies to ensure this amendment leads to tangible support, and actively convey the city's position and local conditions during discussions in the National Assembly."

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