South Korea's defense official and the commander of the US forces are planning to hold talks next week to discuss on the relocation of US bases in South Korea, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported Friday.
During the meeting, to be held on April 23, South Korean Vice Defense Minister Chang Soo-man and US General Walter Sharp are to finalize the schedule for the relocation of Yongsan Garrison and the 2nd Infantry Division to Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, according to Yonhap.
The Yongsan Garrison is located in a central area of Seoul while the Infantry Division is based in Uijeongbu, north of Seoul.
The meeting will also involve discussions on cost-sharing for the relocation, which South Korea wants to complete by 2014, while the US pushes for 2016, Yonhap said.
The US wants the relocation to be delayed as completion of the relocation by 2015 would cost them twice the budget it previously planned.
Meanwhile, South Korea is claiming that the delay would raise its cost due to inflation.
The US forces currently have 28,500 soldiers dispatched in South Korea.
(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2009)
