Formation of Ministry of National Defense Task Force Following Presidential Directive
Full-Scale Collection of Local Government Opinions
Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Donggeun Kim) announced on the 16th that, during a visit to City Hall on the 15th by the head of the Ministry of National Defense Gyeonggi Northern USFK Land Transfer Task Force (hereafter, Land Transfer TF Head), the city explained the difficulties faced in developing returned USFK land areas and requested practical institutional improvements and cooperation at the Ministry of National Defense level.
Mayor Donggeun Kim is discussing improvement plans for the returned defense land areas with the head of the Ministry of National Defense Land Transfer Task Force in the mayor's office on the 15th. Photo by Uijeongbu City
This visit was arranged after President Lee Jaemyung instructed the Ministry of National Defense on July 1 to "proactively review the handling of returned USFK land in northern Gyeonggi." In response, the Ministry formed a task force and sought to directly hear the opinions of local governments.
On this day, Uijeongbu City proposed the following: cooperation in amending relevant laws to allow free public use of returned land areas; promotion of free transfer of returned land areas or government-led development projects; return of the northern Camp Stanley base within this year; prompt return of the southern Camp Stanley base; flexible cooperation in the use of remediated or uncontaminated land; and cooperation in amending the "USFK Land Return Act" and other related regulations.
The Land Transfer TF Head stated, "This meeting was arranged to directly hear the voices from the field regarding the use of the returned areas," and added, "We will actively review the issues by consulting with relevant ministries to resolve the difficulties faced by local governments and ensure that tangible benefits are delivered to local residents."
Mayor Donggeun Kim said, "Uijeongbu City has faced significant restrictions on urban development due to overlapping regulations such as the overpopulation control zone and issues related to USFK land, which has led to a weakening of local finances. I hope that with active cooperation from the government, the land issues in northern Gyeonggi will be resolved, enabling the city to enhance its self-sufficiency, improve the structure of the local economy, and create jobs, so that citizens can truly feel the benefits."
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