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The commander of the U.S. Forces Korea Gen. Burwell Bell has hinted that a review of U.S. base relocations in Korea will be inevitable unless the Korean government shoulders a bigger share in the upkeep of U.S. forces here.
In a written statement to a Senate Armed Service Committee hearing on Monday, Gen. Burwell Bell said, ¡°Without more equitable allied SMA funding, we may be forced to recommend a range of fiscal measures to the U.S. government, including a review of base relocation and consolidation plans.¡±
Commenting on a new Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on Korea¡¯s cost sharing support for the USFK for 2007-2008 concluded at the end of last year, Bell said, ¡°The two allied nations should contribute approximately 50 percent each of the non-personnel stationing costs (NPSC) for U.S. forces in Korea.¡±
But Korea paid 38 percent of upkeep last year and is to pay 41 percent this year. Bell said that was ¡°still short of the principle of equitable 50-50 cost sharing.¡± He added, ¡°I cannot allow readiness to suffer, and I will not allow the quality of life of my service members or families to suffer.¡±
Washington has called on Seoul to pay more. But it is highly unusual for a USFK commander to flag a review of base relocation plans to pressure Korea to bear a bigger burden. Bell also urged Korea to buy the latest Patriot missiles (PAC-3). ¡°Korea must purchase and field its own theater missile defense (TMD) system, capable of full integration with the U.S. system,¡± he said.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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