Partial Demolition of Yongsan US Military Base Fence... US Officer Quarters Site Opened After 34 Years

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[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] The site of the U.S. military officers' quarters within the Yongsan Base in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, returned from the U.S. military in 1986, will be opened to the public for the first time in 34 years. To this end, the government plans to dismantle part of the fence surrounding the Yongsan U.S. military base for the first time.

On the 15th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it plans to open the site of the 5th complex of U.S. military officers' quarters, located in the southeast of Yongsan Base, to the public starting in the second half of this year.

The 5th complex of U.S. military officers' quarters was returned from the U.S. military in 1986, but was constructed and operated as rental housing for U.S. military officers by the former Korea Housing Corporation (currently Korea Land and Housing Corporation). The U.S. military's lease ended at the end of last year, and the site is currently vacant. The site covers approximately 50,000 square meters and includes 16 residential buildings (129 units) and 2 management facilities.

This decision to open the site follows up on the deliberations of the Yongsan Park Development Promotion Committee held in December last year. At that time, the committee decided to include about 600,000 square meters in Yongsan Park, which is being developed on the former U.S. military site in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, including the National Museum of Korea, Yongsan Family Park, military apartments, and the former Defense Acquisition Program Administration. The plan aims to connect Namsan in the north and the Han River in the south as green corridors while improving accessibility to the park.

The committee also decided to open the foreigner apartments within the base that were leased from the U.S. military. First, the 5th complex located at the southeastern end will be remodeled into short-term accommodation facilities, a library, and the Yongsan Archive Exhibition Hall and opened to the public. Subsequently, the 4th and 7th complexes will also be sequentially opened to the public.

The Ministry of Land explained, "The purpose is to allow the public to experience the creation of Yongsan Park even before the entire Yongsan Base is fully returned."

First, to open the 5th complex to the public, the Ministry plans to start remodeling by dismantling part of the fence (15 meters) and installing an entrance and exit road. Some buildings will be renovated into exhibition halls, rest areas, and spaces for discussions. The partial fence removal is a measure to allow construction vehicle access.

After the site is fully opened in the second half of the year, the public will be able to visit freely without restrictions from the U.S. military and enjoy the space for relaxation.

Minister of Land Kim Hyun-mi emphasized, "This measure marks a historic starting point for the creation of Yongsan Park as it involves the first dismantling of part of the Yongsan U.S. military base fence. We will spare no effort to return Yongsan Park fully to the people."

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