US expands $13bn military base in South Korea

IT’S been created for one purpose — war. The United States just gave North Korea 13 billion reasons to worry.

THERE are top notch facilities slated, a water park, schools and shopping on the horizon.

Then there’s supermarkets, gyms, sporting facilities, and restaurants.

A golf course and hospital will also be on offer once the entire expansion of this place is complete.

But this is no ordinary city .. it’s Camp Humphreys.

Camp Humphrey is located in Pyeongtaek city, south of Seoul and, along with apartment buildings and playgrounds, it will also feature an 18-hole golf course, three fitness centres, and a 48-lane bowling alley.

Camp Humphreys has moved from Seoul to Pyeongtaek.

According to the Washington Post, the US and South Korea have been in talks for 20 years about moving the military base from Yongsan, in the middle of Seoul to Pyeongtaek, a rural city 60kms away.

The 8th Army moved its headquarters here last month, and there are now around 25,000 people based here.

Most US bases offer similar facilities.

Further works are due to be completed at the end of this year. Once done Camp Humphreys is expected to house more than 1000 families and 45,000 people.

Three new schools and a military hospital are planned.

On its YouTube channel, Camp Humphreys promotes itself as the “most modern facilities the army has to offer anywhere in the world.”

The expansion of Camp Humphreys has been phenomenal. Picture: Screengrab/USAG Humphreys

But Colonel Scott W Mueller, garrison commander of Camp Humphreys, told the Washington Post’s Anna Fiefield it was much, much more.

Colonel Mueller said state-of-the-art communications technology and a more “hardened” site meant the site was better protected against a possible North Korean attack.

“Down here we’re a little bit further from the action, and that helps buy us some strategic decision space should anything happen,” he said.

Camp Humphreys has several US Army tactical and direct support units including the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, elements of the 1st Signal Brigade, 501st Military Intelligence Brigade and the 65th Medical Brigade among others.

Camp Humphreys is home to thousands of soldiers and their families as well as on base shopping. Picture: Screengrab/USAG Humphreys

A 2014 statement released by USAG Humphreys public affairs office said it is home to the Army’s most active airfield in the Pacific.

It is also the largest construction and transformation project in the US Department of Defense’s history.

“By moving into less congested southern areas of the peninsula, the US Army will improve readiness and efficiencies, while further enhancing its partnership with local communities,” it reads.

The move and expansion has been many years in the making.

According to a 2014 piece in Stars and Stripes, the relocation has faced multiple delays due to funding and construction problems. The move was due to be made in 2008, but was postponed twice, in 2012 and 2016.

Apartments feature underground parking. Picture: Picture: Screengrab/USAG Humphreys

STATE OF THE ART BASE

Home to the Desiderio Army Airfield, Camp Humphreys also supports various army, transportation, and tactical units.

Speaking on a YouTube video in July last year, Colonel Joseph C Holland, commander, USAG Humphreys, said those living here can expect great living conditions.

“Over the several years we built a new instillation here at Camp Humphreys, it’s been designed to be soldier, family and pedestrian friendly,” he said.

“We have beautiful living, working and recreation facilities that will make serving in Korea a wonderful experience.”

Families who live here can choose from three, four and even five-bedroom furnished apartments with parking, and many homes are close to schools, shopping and eating options (once completed).

Construction costs and troop moving costs have been shared by the US and South Korean governments.

There is also a water park for recreational use. Picture: Screengrab/USAG Humphreys

TENSIONS MOUNT

The expansion of the garrison comes as tensions across the Korean Peninsula remain high following two intercontinental ballistic missile tests last month.

Just last week North Korean leader Kim Jong-un boasted his country could now strike any target in the US after carrying out its second ICBM test.

Both tests sparked an angry response from US President Donald Trump who called on China to do more to stop its rouge ally.

Just today influential Republican and foreign policy expert Lindsey Graham warned Mr Trump would rather go to war to destroy North Korea than allow it to develop a long-range nuclear-armed missile.

However Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the US doesn’t want to topple the North Korean government.

“We do not seek a regime change, we do not seek a collapse of the regime, we do not seek an accelerated reunification of the peninsula, we do not seek an excuse to send our military north of the 38th Parallel,” Mr Tillerson told reporters at the State Department.

“We are not your enemy ... but you are presenting an unacceptable threat to us, and we have to respond.”

- with wires

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