All U.S. Military Bases in Bupyeong Returned After 84 Years... Incheon City to Develop Park and Medical Center

Partial Return of A and B Zones (210,000㎡) in 2019, Followed by Return of D Zone (230,000㎡)

The remaining land of the Incheon Bupyeong US military base (Camp Market) has been returned, bringing Camp Market fully back into the hands of Incheon citizens after 84 years.

On the 20th, the government announced that through consultations between the joint chairpersons of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), they have agreed to return approximately 290,000㎡ of land across five US military bases nationwide, including the remaining area of Camp Market in Bupyeong, Incheon.

The Camp Market site in Bupyeong housed the Japanese Army's weapons factory 'Jopyeongchang' in 1939, and after liberation in 1945, the US military stationed there, blocking civilian access for 84 years. Subsequently, according to the Korea-US agreement, 210,000㎡ of zones A and B out of the total 440,000㎡ were returned in December 2019, and the remaining 230,000㎡ of zone D was officially returned from the US military to the Ministry of National Defense on this day.

Camp Market Bupyeong Overview [Photo by Incheon City]

The Incheon city government expressed its welcome and revealed plans for utilizing the site. Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok held a press conference at City Hall on the same day, stating, "After 84 years, the Camp Market site has completely returned to Incheon's embrace," and added, "On behalf of 3 million citizens, I sincerely welcome the return of the site."

He continued, "The Camp Market project will be based on the principles of thorough soil contamination cleanup and reflecting citizens' opinions. We will expand and connect transportation, pedestrian pathways, and green corridors to link citizens with the park, and through multifunctional space utilization that embodies the unique value of Camp Market, we will make it a landmark of Incheon."

Incheon City aims to create a park reflecting citizens' wishes over a total area of 600,000㎡, combining the Camp Market site, Booyoung Park, and surrounding areas totaling 160,000㎡, and is promoting various projects.

They are currently building an archive to preserve the historical value remaining at Camp Market and conducting facility surveys. Part of the site has been opened for citizen use, with resident briefings and experiential and educational programs being operated.

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok is holding a press briefing on the return of Bupyeong Camp Market on the 20th.
[Photo by Incheon City]

The Camp Market zones A and B, returned in 2019, have been undergoing soil remediation led by the Ministry of National Defense since 2020. Zone A (110,000㎡) is planned to host the Incheon Second Medical Center, a fire station, and roads, while zones B (100,000㎡) and D (230,000㎡) will be developed into a large-scale park including the tentatively named 'Incheon Botanical Garden.'

The Incheon Botanical Garden, estimated to cost 30 billion KRW, will feature a 10,000㎡ greenhouse and introduce various contents such as plant exhibitions, viewing functions, and educational experience programs. Additionally, it is planned to be developed into the largest botanical garden in the metropolitan area by linking with nearby Booyoung Park and Bupyeong Park.

The city plans to establish a master plan next year and proceed with the first phase of park development in zone B from 2026 to 2028, followed by the second phase in zone D from 2027 to 2030.