Yoo Eui-dong introduces USFK host-community support bill as first legislation of new term

By Jung Seok-jun, The Herald Business

People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Eui-dong said Monday he had introduced two bills as his first legislation of the 22nd National Assembly: a new act on support for areas hosting US Forces Korea and a partial amendment to the existing special act on support for areas surrounding USFK-granted zones.

Both bills are revised versions of legislation Yoo had championed in the 21st National Assembly but which lapsed when that term expired. They aim to establish a permanent, institutionalized framework for improving living conditions, protecting residents' rights and promoting sustainable development in communities that host USFK bases, including Pyeongtaek.

The primary legal basis for supporting Pyeongtaek — the Special Act on Support for Pyeongtaek and Other Areas Following the Relocation of USFK Bases — is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2030.

That law is, however, a temporary measure designed specifically to address the relocation of USFK bases. Critics have long argued that even after the relocation is complete, communities where US troops are stationed continue to bear administrative burdens and restrictions, and that a permanent support system is needed once the current law sunsets.

The new bill calls for five-year comprehensive plans for USFK-hosting areas, priority support for development projects and public facilities, and special provisions covering the establishment and operation of foreign educational institutions, factory construction and school relocation. It also includes special provisions on education finance, local allocation grants and national subsidies; support for cultural, tourism, welfare and community convenience facilities; the creation of a USFK Dispute Counseling Center to protect Korean nationals affected by USFK-related incidents; and baseline environmental surveys and pollution prevention measures.

The accompanying partial amendment to the special act on support for areas surrounding USFK-granted zones is a companion bill intended to clarify how the two laws will interact once the Pyeongtaek support act expires.

"This first bill is designed to build on the achievements of the Pyeongtaek support act while providing a stable foundation for the future of Pyeongtaek and other USFK-hosting communities," Yoo said. "I will do everything I can to see it passed, so that the state can respond responsibly to the sacrifices made by communities that have borne various regulations in the name of national security."