Unused Military Land in Seocheon Returned to Residents After Long Neglect

Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Holds On-Site Mediation Meeting

Agreements Reached to Decide Disposal Methods by June Next Year

The collective civil complaint demanding the return of state-owned land and facilities in Seongnae-ri, Biin-myeon, Seocheon-gun, Chungnam Province, has entered a resolution phase through mediation by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.

The Commission announced on May 14 that Han Samsuk, Vice Chairperson and Secretary General, presided over an on-site mediation meeting at the Biin-myeon Residents’ Administrative Welfare Center to discuss the disposal of land and facilities owned by the Ministry of National Defense in the Seongnae-ri area. The area under mediation, Seongnae-ri, had been stationed by the 44th Artillery Battalion of the U.S. Forces Korea since 1963. In 1980, the Republic of Korea Air Force took over and used it as official residences. However, after the Air Force unit withdrew in 2021, the site was left unattended without any particular management.

Government Sejong Government Complex Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, The Asia Business Daily Database

In particular, during the heavy rainfall in 2024 and the previous year, rainwater flowing from the military's unused land located in the highlands entered the urban area, causing flooding of commercial buildings and homes and damaging roads. Residents submitted complaints requesting Seocheon-gun to develop the area to prevent future disaster damage and promote regional development.

According to the Commission’s mediation plan, Seocheon-gun and the Air Force will jointly inspect the site and take necessary measures by May 31 to minimize flood damage caused by heavy rainfall.

In addition, Seocheon-gun, the Air Force, and the Chungcheong Facility Group of the Defense Installations Agency agreed to establish a working-level consultative group by June 30 and to discuss and decide on the disposal methods in accordance with relevant laws by June next year.

Han Samsuk, Vice Chairperson and Secretary General of the Commission, stated, "Through this mediation, we are finally able to return the unused military land to the residents of Biin-myeon after nearly 60 years."

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