Lee criticizes delays in negotiations for return of former US military bases

President Lee Jae Myung expressed his frustration over the delays in negotiations for the return of land granted to US military bases in South Korea. During a working report meeting at the Blue House, Lee stated that the situation "defied common sense" and criticized the Korean government's inability to utilize the land while the US military remained in Pyeongtaek.

He explained that South Korea had invested substantial funds, amounting to over 10 trillion won, to build the Pyeongtaek base, but now it could not be used due to the US military's refusal to relinquish the land. Lee accused the US military of dragging its feet in the process, emphasizing that the delays were compounded by disagreements over environmental contamination assessments, cleaning costs, and bilateral negotiations between South Korea and the US.