Ministry of National Defense to Develop Large-scale Training Site for US Forces Korea

US Armed Attack Helicopter Apache

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The Ministry of National Defense has announced plans to secure a large-scale training ground used by the US Forces Korea, drawing attention. This comes as civil-military conflicts have intensified due to demands from residents near the Suseong Shooting Range in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, and the Yeongpyeong Shooting Range in Pocheon, Gyeonggi, for relocation, prompting the ministry to prepare countermeasures.

On the 28th, the Ministry of National Defense stated in the National Assembly National Defense Committee's 'Defense Work Report' that, from the perspective of managing conflicts related to USFK shooting ranges, "we are pursuing the long-term acquisition of a 'large-scale training ground' equipped with buffer zones (noise and safety)."

The ministry did not mention the site for the large-scale training ground. It is expected that the Ministry of National Defense and the US Forces Korea Command will select potential training ground sites and conduct evaluation work going forward. When the planned site for the large-scale training ground with buffer zones is disclosed, opposition from nearby residents and local governments is also anticipated.

This policy by the Ministry of National Defense follows complaints from US Forces Korea about inadequate training conditions and the intensifying civil-military conflicts due to demands from residents near the Suseong Shooting Range in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, and the Yeongpyeong Shooting Range in Pocheon, Gyeonggi, for relocation.

General Robert Abrams, Commander of US Forces Korea, is known to have strongly expressed his position on maintaining the combat readiness of Apache helicopters through letters sent to the Ministry of National Defense last year and a series of meetings with the Korean military leadership.

The Pohang Suseong Shooting Range Opposition Committee, composed of residents near the Suseong Shooting Range, has held rallies calling for the cancellation of shooting training and the closure of the shooting range, citing damages caused by USFK Apache helicopter firing drills. At Yeongpyeong Shooting Range, residents have complained of direct and indirect damages as artillery, mortars, tanks, and helicopter firing drills have been conducted nearly 300 days annually.

In response, the Ministry of National Defense explained in the work report that "from April 2019 to February last year, USFK Apache helicopter firing was conducted at the Suseong Shooting Range, but since October last year, Apache helicopter firing has been suspended due to surrounding opposition protests," and added, "Since February 8, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission has begun mediation, conducting on-site visits and collecting opinions as part of a basic investigation, while preparing mediation plans considering resident support projects."

Regarding the Yeongpyeong Shooting Range, it was reported that "since last year, the opposition committee has continuously protested for the closure of the shooting range, and USFK MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) firing training was restricted due to resident protests in May, June, and December of that year."

The Ministry of National Defense stated, "Currently, active communication with residents and on-site responses have eased civil-military conflicts, and on April 21, a conflict management council chaired by the Deputy Minister of National Defense was held to review the progress of 23 resident support projects," adding, "The US side also announced in January that firing would commence under the development of new MLRS firing positions."

The ministry reported, "Regarding the Suseong Shooting Range, a civil-military coexistence plan will be prepared through mediation by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission," and "For the Yeongpyeong Shooting Range, continuous efforts to manage conflicts will be made, and solutions to address residents' demands will be sought through Korea-US consultations."

Meanwhile, concerning the transfer of wartime operational control, the Ministry of National Defense stated, "We will timely conduct the FOC (Full Operational Capability) verification evaluation applying the future combined command structure led by our military," and added, "Through active policy consultations with the US at forums such as KIDD (Korea Integrated Defense Dialogue) and the Shangri-La Dialogue expected at the end of May in Singapore, we will express the will of our government and military to carry out the FOC verification evaluation."

Regarding North Korean military trends, the ministry reported, "During the crab season (April to June), surveillance and crackdown activities on Chinese fishing vessels in the West Sea are being strengthened," and "After the winter training ended, training focused on core forces by branch, such as artillery firing, airborne drops, maritime maneuvers, and pilot training, is being conducted alongside judgment inspections."

Regarding the military readiness of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, it explained, "We are establishing readiness against defections and crossings to the North due to increased farming and fishing activities in border land and sea areas, and strengthening reconnaissance activities and cooperation systems with related agencies to prepare against infiltration disguised as illegal immigration in the East and West Seas."

In preparation for activities by neighboring countries' warships in jurisdictional waters, the Ministry of National Defense reported that it is enhancing surveillance against foreign military aircraft entering the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ), including active aerial maneuver searches, maritime and air patrol activities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.