[Opinion] The Cost of 74 Years of Security Sacrifice is 0 Won, the Government Ignored Dongducheon

Park Hyung-deok, Mayor of Dongducheon

In Dongducheon City, there is Geolsan Village, known as the "island on land." Although it clearly exists on South Korean soil, it is a village living in isolation because it is located within a U.S. military base.

Since the U.S. military stationed there in 1951, the village residents have been displaced from their homes and have lived a life where even entry, residence, and movement require permission. The reality that fundamental constitutional rights such as freedom have been restricted for over half a century is hard to believe in present-day South Korea.

In 2014, South Korea and the United States announced that Camp Casey, which includes Geolsan Village, would be returned by around 2020. However, that promise has not been kept, and the timeline for the return remains unclear. The residents, who have been waiting for responsible government action and sincere measures, have long since turned their expectations into disappointment.

The situation is worsening. Since June 2022, the base command has completely stopped issuing entry passes to new residents. Although they are registered residents, some people cannot even enter the village. This is not merely an administrative issue but a serious human rights violation where the minimum standards of living as human beings are not guaranteed.

Since taking office, I have continuously demanded that the government provide proper compensation and responsible measures for Dongducheon, which has endured unilateral sacrifices for national security for the past 74 years, including the Geolsan Village pass issue. To this end, I personally met with the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defense to convey the voices of Dongducheon citizens, and the local development citizen countermeasure committee and residents held five large-scale rallies to demonstrate strong determination. Yet, the government continues to remain silent without any response.

Our city has provided 40.63㎢ of land, accounting for 42% of the total area, to the U.S. military. Until the early 2000s, about 20,000 people, including U.S. military personnel, their families, and related workers, lived here, energizing the economy. However, after the large-scale troop relocation to Pyeongtaek, the number of U.S. military personnel sharply decreased, and the local economy has gradually declined.

Through the city's continuous requests for return, 23.21㎢ of land has been returned, but 99% of it is mountainous and undevelopable. Meanwhile, 17.42㎢ of flat land with high utilization value, such as Camp Casey and Camp Hovey, has no return plans. The long-term non-return of bases with high development potential is driving Dongducheon's economy toward collapse.

The economic damage figures are even more severe. Over 70% of U.S. military-related small businesses in Bosan-dong and Gwangam-dong have closed, and due to delayed land return, local tax losses reach 30 billion KRW annually, with economic losses from urban development setbacks amounting to 527.8 billion KRW per year. The cumulative damage exceeds 25 trillion KRW.

As a result, in the first half of 2024, Dongducheon recorded the highest unemployment rate nationwide and the lowest financial independence among 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province. The population, which once approached 100,000, has now dropped to the 80,000 range, threatening the very existence of the city.

Therefore, I strongly urge the enactment of the "Dongducheon Support Special Act" as a minimum compensation for the 74 years of security sacrifices. Through the "U.S. Military Relocation Pyeongtaek Support Act," enacted due to the U.S. military base relocation, Pyeongtaek received about 19 trillion KRW in support, including attracting Samsung Semiconductor and infrastructure development, growing into a city of 600,000 people. Considering Pyeongtaek's precedent, Dongducheon also requires corresponding support.

Fortunately, in May last year, National Assembly member Kim Seong-won introduced the "Special Act on Support for Long-Term Non-Returned U.S. Military Concession Areas" as the main sponsor. This bill contains specific support measures that can significantly alleviate the damage Dongducheon has suffered. The enactment of the Dongducheon Support Special Act is not a choice but an essential measure for survival.

Additionally, in 2014, following the U.S. military's decision to temporarily remain in Dongducheon, the government promised the public to create a national industrial complex of about 300,000 pyeong as compensation. However, after the establishment, sales and corporate attraction have been entirely left to the local government, while the government remains passive. Currently, the national industrial complex is struggling with the economic downturn, rising sales prices, and industry restrictions, and even the first phase pre-sales are not proceeding properly. If the state only establishes the complex and leaves the rest to the local government, can it truly be called a "national" industrial complex? This is government shirking responsibility and effectively breaking its compensation promise. The government must now take clear responsibility and provide practical support for corporate attraction and the second phase of the project to fulfill its promise to Dongducheon citizens.

Furthermore, we strongly hope to attract an international skating rink. Dongducheon has proposed the U.S. military return concession area as the site and holds a clear competitive advantage over other local governments in terms of its reputation as the undisputed "city of ice," excellent transportation accessibility, and potential linkage with the Soyosan expansion development project.

The enactment of the Dongducheon Support Special Act, the establishment of the national industrial complex, and the attraction of the international skating rink are key tasks that will determine Dongducheon's future. It is time for the government to respond to Dongducheon's urgent demands and begin rightful compensation.