Dongducheon Citizens' Committee Holds Meeting with Congressman Kim Sungwon on Non-Returned U.S. Military Base Land

Strong Government Action Against the Ministry of National Defense Expected
Committee, Lawmaker Kim Sungwon, and Local Leaders Unite Over Non-Returned U.S. Military Base Land
Calls for Swift Solutions and Complete Return of Key Sites in Dongducheon

The Dongducheon City Regional Development Citizens' Committee (Chairman Shim Woohyun, hereinafter referred to as the Committee) announced on the 21st that it held a meeting on the 19th at the National Assembly with Congressman Kim Sungwon (three-term lawmaker, representing Dongducheon, Yangju, and Yeoncheon) to discuss the issue of non-returned public land.

The Dongducheon City Regional Development Citizens' Committee held a meeting on the 19th at the National Assembly with Congressman Sungwon Kim to discuss the non-returned public land. Provided by Dongducheon City

This meeting was held urgently in response to the growing national attention on the issue of U.S. military bases not returned to Korea, following the President's directive. It was emphasized that the public, government, and political sectors must unite and respond swiftly to turn this challenge into an opportunity for Dongducheon’s development.

The Committee especially stressed the importance of an active and capable role by the local lawmaker, noting that a strong stance against the Ministry of National Defense is inevitable.

The Committee delivered key proposals to Congressman Kim, who is a senior lawmaker representing both the U.S. military base region and his party. These included: △ a meeting between the Committee and the Minister of National Defense within September, △ the proposal and passage of a special law to support long-term non-returned U.S. military base areas, and △ the organization of a National Assembly debate on the issue of non-returned public land. The Committee also requested a parliamentary-level response to the government on these matters.

Chairman Shim Woohyun stated, "Seventy percent of all non-returned public land nationwide is in Dongducheon, and it is the only region where the return timeline remains entirely unknown. In particular, I urge you to work for the complete return of Camp Castle and Camp Mobile, which have been only partially returned in a way that limits their usability."

Congressman Kim Sungwon responded, "The issue of public land is not simply about territory; it concerns the future of Dongducheon. The long-standing hopes and demands of our citizens can no longer be delayed. I will meet with the Minister of National Defense together with the Committee as soon as possible to demand concrete solutions."

This meeting is expected to serve as a stepping stone for the public, government, and political sectors to jointly address local issues, and to establish specific plans for regional development and drive tangible changes through ongoing cooperation in the future.