Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
Dongducheon backs bill for support to areas with unreturned US military land
A South Korean lawmaker has proposed changes to a law covering areas affected by land provided for US forces, and Dongducheon welcomed the proposal.
The city, in Gyeonggi Province, says 17.42 square kilometres of its land remain unreturned.
It says about 70% of all unreturned US military land in South Korea is in Dongducheon.
The bill would define land that has been unreturned for a long time and increase state subsidies to affected local governments.
It would also allow a special fund, which the city hopes will ease financial pressure and improve conditions for development.
The bill must go through parliamentary review, and the city says it will press for effective support and swift passage.
Dongducheon welcomed a bill proposing additional support for areas with unreturned US military land.
The bill would define long-term unreturned land, increase state subsidies for local governments where it is located, and allow a special account to be established.
Dongducheon says 17.42 square kilometres of land in the city have not been returned.
The city says about 70% of the country’s unreturned US military land is in Dongducheon.
The city wants the bill to pass quickly and provide effective support to ease local financial burdens and improve development conditions.
- Who
- Dongducheon City welcomed a bill proposed by lawmaker Kim Seong-won.
- What
- The bill would provide additional support to local governments with long-term unreturned US military land.
- When
- The city announced its support on Nov. 12, 2026.
- Where
- Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
- Why
- The city says prolonged use of land for US military purposes has placed a burden on the area and calls for state support.
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- Proposed by
- Kim Seong-won, lawmaker
- Unreturned land in Dongducheon
- 17.42 square kilometres
- Dongducheon’s total area
- 95.66 square kilometres
- Share of national unreturned land in Dongducheon
- About 70%
- City’s announcement
- Nov. 12, 2026
1 source
What people are saying
We will work with relevant institutions to ensure this bill leads to practical support and actively convey the city’s position and local conditions during National Assembly discussions.