Uijeongbu City Reviews the Future of Returned Base Sites
CRC and Camp Jackson Shift to 'Implementation'
Development of Returned U.S. Military Sites on Track
Focusing on Securing Public Value and Easing Regulations
Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Donggeun) has ushered in the new year of 2026 by shifting the development paradigm for returned U.S. military base sites from 'planning' to 'implementation,' embarking on a full-scale initiative.
Mayor Kim Donggeun is conducting an on-site inspection at the Camp Red Cloud (CRC) pass road on the 14th. Provided by Uijeongbu City
On January 14, Uijeongbu City announced that it had visited key returned base sites, including Camp Red Cloud (CRC) and Camp Jackson, to inspect the status of ongoing projects and confirm concrete directions for future execution. This inspection was organized to comprehensively assess institutional and administrative tasks aimed at maximizing the public use of returned sites and enhancing convenience for citizens.
CRC Thoroughfare 'To the Citizens'... Inspection of Operations After Opening
Mayor Kim Donggeun first visited Camp Red Cloud (CRC) to examine the thoroughfare section recently given the official name 'To the Citizens.' This road, which cuts through a military base that had been restricted for over 70 years, has greatly contributed to improving local traffic flow since its opening in 2023. The city currently manages the road directly and is strongly urging the government to convert its status to free use of national property in order to secure its public nature.
At the next stop, Camp Jackson, Mayor Kim checked the status of the site where contaminated soil remediation was recently completed. The city is closely discussing with relevant ministries ways to resolve overlapping regulations, such as development restriction zones and overpopulation control areas, to utilize the site as a hub for future growth.
The city plans to continue taking necessary measures to ensure stable operation and management of the thoroughfare, considering citizen use and the need to secure public value.
Mayor Kim Donggeun inspected the Camp Red Cloud (CRC) pass road site on the 14th and is seen talking with officials at the office of a company related to the purification project within CRC. Provided by Uijeongbu City
Camp Jackson: Comprehensive Review of Development Conditions After Remediation
At Camp Jackson, the city conducted a comprehensive review focused on necessary requirements and issues for future project implementation, following the recent completion of contaminated soil remediation.
Until now, returned sites including Camp Jackson have faced structural limitations for local governments in pursuing development, due to overlapping regulations such as development restriction zones and overpopulation control areas, as well as the high proportion of national land ownership.
Accordingly, the city has continuously raised the need for institutional improvements through consultations with government ministries and related agencies, and has been engaged in ongoing discussions to create favorable conditions for the development of returned sites.
Mayor Donggeun Kim is conducting an on-site inspection at Camp Jackson on the 14th. Provided by Uijeongbu City
Development of Returned Sites: Shifting from 'Planning' to 'Execution'
With this on-site inspection as a turning point, the city intends to shift its policy on returned site development from a focus on planning to an emphasis on project execution.
In particular, the city plans to strengthen its cooperation system with relevant agencies so that already established plans can be linked to actual projects, and to further specify step-by-step implementation strategies.
Additionally, the city is managing the return of Camp Stanley-the only remaining unreturned site within its jurisdiction-as a major issue, and is continuing administrative efforts to facilitate concrete discussions on its return through consultations with the government and related agencies. Since the timing and direction of Camp Stanley's return will have a significant impact on the overall urban structure, the city plans to prepare step by step for its post-return utilization.
Recognizing that the development of returned sites in the region is constrained not only by their vast area and significant financial burden, but also by overlapping metropolitan regulations, and that the city's development has been structurally limited by U.S. military bases for over 70 years, the city believes that a more proactive role by the national government is necessary, as the efforts of individual local governments alone are insufficient.
A city official stated, "We will continue to transform returned sites, including CRC and Camp Jackson, from isolated spaces into areas that connect the city. Through this, we aim to secure public value and utilize these sites as a foundation for sustainable urban growth."
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