Dongducheon Citizens Strongly Protest Government and USFK, Demanding "Keep the Promise Made 10 Years Ago"

Pan-Citizen Committee: "Do Not Ignore the Crisis of Regional Extinction"
"The Government's 'Ignorance' Response Is Like Pouring Oil on a Burning House"
Four Key Demands Including Enactment of a Special Law to Support Non-Returned Leased Land

Citizens of Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, strongly opposed the irresponsible attitude of the government and the US Forces Korea and took action. The Dongducheon City Regional Development Pan-Citizen Countermeasure Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) announced on the 15th that it will hold an indefinite relay one-person protest in front of USFK Camp Casey in Bosan-dong, Dongducheon, starting from the 21st.

The Dongducheon City Regional Development Citizens' Countermeasure Committee plans to hold an indefinite relay one-person protest starting from the 21st in front of the U.S. Army Camp Casey located in Bosan-dong, Dongducheon. Provided by Dongducheon City

The Committee stated, "When part of the 2nd Infantry Division decided to remain in Dongducheon in 2014, the government promised support to the region, but even after 10 years, that promise has not been kept," and strongly criticized, "The nation is still making Dongducheon a scapegoat."

The citizens' dissatisfaction has spread beyond simple compensation issues to violations of residents' basic rights. In particular, the Geolsan-dong area is entirely surrounded by the US military base, making it difficult for residents to move around daily without passing through the base.

Recently, the US Forces Korea restricted the issuance of base transit passes (PASS) to new residents, effectively cutting off newly moved-in residents from outside connections. During bad weather or at night, even traveling via mountain paths is difficult, raising concerns about regional isolation. This measure is seen as blocking new residents from moving into Geolsan-dong, inevitably leading to the area's extinction.

The Committee also strongly raised issues of fairness.

Chairman Shim Woo-hyun stated, "Dongducheon has given 42% of its total city area to the US Forces Korea and has endured an average annual stationing damage of 324.3 billion won," adding, "Calculating this over 70 years amounts to more than 25 trillion won."

He continued, "While a special law was enacted for the base relocation site in Pyeongtaek, with trillions of won in budget and benefits for attracting large corporations, not a single promise has been kept for Dongducheon," criticizing, "The government's 'ignorance' response is like pouring oil on a burning house."

The Committee announced the protest and presented four demands to the government and US Forces Korea. The demands are △ enactment of a special law to support long-term non-returned leased land △ support equal to Pyeongtaek, including a budget of 19 trillion won and support for attracting large corporations △ government-led promotion of Dongducheon National Industrial Complex △ issuance of passes to new residents of Geolsan-dong.

Chairman Shim said, "Now the nation must take responsibility. Seventy years is a human lifetime," adding, "Any further silence is tantamount to neglecting the extinction of Dongducheon."