There have been numerous delays over the years in returning to South Korean control... military installations now being used by U.S. Forces.<br />With the South Korean presidential office calling for more urgency, the U.S. military says it's making progress.<br />Lee Ji-won reports.<br />U.S. Forces Korea says it's ready to promptly return some of its military bases in the country, as requested by the South Korean government.<br />In a statement Wednesday, the USFK said 15 of its 26 military installations in South Korea have already been cleared out, which includes the four sites, specifically requested by Seoul.<br />They are Shea Range, Camps Eagle and Long and parcels of Camp Market.<br />Their return has been slow due to the need to clean up the polluted land.<br />The USFK also said 5 parcels of the Yongsan Garrison, located in a prime real estate area in central Seoul, is also ready for transfer.<br />There are, however, some critics who say the US Forces' move is related to Seoul and Washington's frustration with each other over South Korea's recent decision to terminate its military-information sharing pact with Japan due to its loss of trust in Tokyo.<br />Meanwhile, South Korea's Foreign Affairs Minister Kang Kyung-wha will tour Camp Humphreys and Osan Airbase on Friday.<br />The ministry says Kang meant to visit the soldiers earlier to encourage them, but she hasn't had the chance until now.<br />She will meet with USFK Commander Robert Abrams to reaffirm their strong alliance and emphasize the need for close coordination for peace and the denuclearization of the Peninsula.<br />They are also expected to touch upon the upcoming negotiations on their defense cost sharing deal for next year.<br />With Seoul and Washington expected to resume those talks soon,... it remains to be seen if or how the prompt return of the military bases will affect those negotiations.<br />Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.<br />
