South Korea extends Pyeongtaek support law for USFK move
June 9 (Asia Today) -- South Korea extended a special law supporting Pyeongtaek and nearby areas affected by the relocation of U.S. Forces Korea bases for four more years, officials said Tuesday.
The Ministry of National Defense said the revised Special Act on Support for Pyeongtaek-si and Other Areas Following the Relocation of U.S. Military Bases was promulgated Tuesday.
The law, which had been set to expire Dec. 31, will now remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2030.
Officials said the extension gives renewed momentum to the remaining work under the Yongsan Relocation Plan, which involves the transfer of U.S. military facilities from central Seoul and related land return and cleanup projects.
The USFK Base Relocation Office said the support law, enacted in 2004, provided the legal basis for relocating several U.S. military facilities to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, including the Combined Forces Command, in October 2022.
The law has been extended three times to support local residents in Pyeongtaek, secure funding, adjust military facilities and carry out regional development projects linked to the base relocation.
An official from the relocation office said some development projects in Pyeongtaek have not yet been completed.
The official said an extension was also needed to complete remaining Yongsan facility projects, environmental cleanup of returned U.S. military sites and revenue measures through land sales.
The extension bill was introduced in April, passed the National Assembly on May 7 and was promulgated after Cabinet approval.
Chung Chul-jae, head of the USFK Base Relocation Office, said the extension will serve as an important bridge to complete the relocation project.
"We will do our best to return former U.S. military sites to the people based on cleanup work that meets public expectations," Chung said.
The office said it plans to use the amendment to complete the relocation project while responding to public interest in returned U.S. military sites and promoting shared growth with local communities.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260609010002874
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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 4:55 PM.