"Afghan Refugees May Come to Korea..." Gyeonggi Province and Pyeongtaek Residents Closely Watching the Situation

A panoramic view of Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, known as the largest overseas U.S. military base in the world. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] As the U.S. government has identified U.S. military bases in South Korea as potential sites for accommodating Afghan refugees, Gyeonggi Province and Pyeongtaek City, which host the world's largest U.S. military base, are closely monitoring the situation.

In particular, Pyeongtaek City, home to the world's largest U.S. military base spanning 14,677,000㎡?five times the size of Yeouido?is considered the most likely candidate if South Korea is chosen as a refuge for Afghan refugees.

On the 21st (local time), the U.S. daily The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the U.S. government is considering accommodating Afghan refugees at overseas U.S. military bases, including those in South Korea, in relation to the 'Afghanistan situation.'

According to the report, U.S. military bases in Qatar, Bahrain, and Germany are overflowing with refugees from Afghanistan, and this plan is being considered as one way to alleviate the situation.

The WSJ also reported that the locations under consideration by the U.S. Department of Defense include U.S. military bases in Japan, Germany, Kosovo, Bahrain, and Italy, in addition to South Korea.

In response, local governments such as Gyeonggi Province and Pyeongtaek City stated, "Since this is only a report without concrete details, we can only monitor the situation closely and cannot make an official statement."

Residents expressed cautious reactions, saying, "Although there is no formal discussion yet, if South Korea's U.S. military bases are specifically mentioned as sites for accommodating Afghan refugees, there should be discussions on this matter."

A resident of Gyeonggi Province said, "It seems unlikely that the U.S. would choose South Korea as a refugee site, so I hope this ends as just a rumor. However, we need to monitor the situation carefully."

Another resident from Paengseong-eup, Pyeongtaek City, said, "Our country is not prepared to accommodate refugees. Local residents' opposition would also be significant. We have already made many concessions for the U.S. military base, so accepting Afghan refugees here would be unreasonable."

The reactions of netizens who read the article were also intense. One netizen said, "Why South Korea of all places when there is so much land elsewhere? Accepting Afghan refugees amid the severe COVID-19 situation is unacceptable."

Another netizen commented, "Our country could become a target of the Taliban. While humanitarian aspects should be considered, their strong religious characteristics mean they should not be accepted."

Meanwhile, regarding this matter, the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) spokesperson Lee Peters stated on the 22nd, "USFK has not been tasked with providing temporary accommodation or other support to people departing from Afghanistan." However, he added, "If such a mission order is given, USFK will cooperate with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the South Korean government while maintaining the strong ROK-U.S. alliance and robust combined defense posture," leaving the possibility open.

Song Young-gil, Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed a negative reaction to foreign media reports that the U.S. government is considering accommodating Afghan refugees at U.S. military bases in South Korea.

Song said, "There has been no consultation with our government, and I believe it is unrealistic," expressing opposition. He added, "There has been no discussion at all, and I question whether it is appropriate. Considering transportation issues, (Afghan refugees) would have to go to neighboring countries."

However, Song stated that about 400 Afghans who participated in reconstruction projects conducted by the South Korean government in Afghanistan should be brought to South Korea.

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