The area in question is land measuring about 300,000 pyong, which the U.S. additionally demanded, in Osan and Pyeongtaek, the new site for the relocation of the Yongsan base. The two countries initially agreed to that Korea would provide land measuring 3.12 million pyong in Osan and Pyeontaek, in exchange for the Yongsan Garrison. Negotiations began to go awry, as the U.S. demanded an additional land in Osan and Pyeongtaek after it decided to move the Korea-U.S Combined Forces Command and the U.N Forces Command in January. The two commands were supposed to remain in Seoul. In response to the demand, Korea said that it could not accept any additional land request because more than 12,000 U.S soldiers would be withdrawn. The U.S. responded that since it was returning to Korea 52 million pyong of the 74 million pyong it had been using up till now, should Korea provide at least the 300,000 additional pyong required for the base and housing? It was known that the U.S. was suspicious of the Korean government’s hidden intentions, as some Korean broadcasters and pro-government media have reported that the U.S. demand is unreasonable, simply comparing the reduction of USFK with the relocation of the Yongsan base.

The Korean negotiating team should specifically reveal the process of the negotiations, and the background and details of the additional U.S. land demand. With the revelation, the Korean people will have an opportunity to judge whether the U.S. demand is unreasonable or not, and they can cool-headedly think about whether it's right and wise to let a dispute over land measuring a third of Yeouido in Seoul rupture the 50-year-long alliance between Korea and the United States. The U.S., too, should clearly see that an emotional response like, "Unless this issue is resolved, there will be no augmentation of fighting strength," would not only hurt the pride of Koreans, but also entangle the situation.