South Korean defense minister criticizes top U.S. general over remarks on base relocations

[Judi Lynn]

Source: International Herald Tribune/Associated Press

South Korean defense minister criticizes top U.S. general over remarks on base relocations
The Associated PressPublished: April 27, 2007

SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea's defense minister rebuked an American general for publicly suggesting the U.S. reconsider a deal to relocate its military headquarters unless Seoul pays a bigger share of the cost of hosting American troops.

In a rare public criticism, Defense Minister Kim Jang-soo said the remarks by U.S. Gen. B.B. Bell, the top U.S. general in the country, were "inappropriate."

Bell told the U.S. Senate earlier this week that unless Seoul pays more, he may be forced to recommend that Washington review the 2004 agreement — long sought by Seoul — to move the U.S. military headquarters in Seoul and some other bases by 2008.

Kim suggested the remarks may have been aimed at securing more funding from the U.S. government.

The United States says South Korea is only paying about 40 percent of the cost of hosting about 29,500 U.S. troops stationed there as a deterrent against nuclear-armed, communist North Korea, but Seoul believes its contributions cover more than 47 percent of the cost, according to the Defense Ministry.



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