Page 273 - 2018 Defense White Paper
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| Systematic Removal of Unused and Abandoned Facilities | To minimize inconveniences
for the people and ensure shared growth with local residents through military installation
projects, the MND is currently pursuing the removal or improvement of unused military
installations across the country.
While the ROK Armed Forces has been removing unused or abandoned facilities, there still
exist facilities that fell to disuse because of advancements in scientif ic surveillance equipment
and the reduction of military troops, or facilities for which the usage plans were abolished
because of the disbandment or reduction of the relevant units. The abandoned facilities are
not mere aesthetic nuisances; they pose risks of collapse, pollution from wastes therein, and
interference with local development.
The MND conducted on-site inspections and operability assessments on all unused facilities
in and outside military premises in 2018 for the systematic removal of the facilities. Based on
the f indings, by 2021, the MND plans to remove facilities that interfere with local development
plans, long-abandoned facilities that damage the scenery, or facilities that pose risks of being
turned into crime zones under medium- and long-term plans.
| Resolution of Private and Public Lands Occupied without Permission | The ROK Armed
Forces inevitably occupied some private and public lands during the war and for emergency
operations, thereby violating the rights of the property owners. In addition, the damages have
not been properly compensated for. In recognition of the seriousness of the issue, to protect the
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people’s property rights and improve the people’s trust toward the military, the MND has been
addressing the issue of the illegal occupation of private and public lands.
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As of the end of 2017, out of the total private and public lands of 55,400,000 m , occupied
and used by the ROK Armed Forces, 25,720,000 m is being occupied unlawfully. The MND
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purchases the lands that the ROK Armed Forces still needs, leases the lands required for
temporary use, and returns the lands not used because of the relocation of the relevant units
after restitution, which includes removing facilities and eliminating soil contamination.
On another note, the MND measured the private and public lands occupied unlawfully between
February and November 2018. It will use the f indings to notify owners of the occupation, and
provide compensation and restitution in accordance with due process. Going forward, the MND will
continue to purchase, lease, and exchange lands to address the issue of unlawful occupation early on.
Section 5 Ensuring Fair Enforcement of the Duty of Military Service and Enhancing the Benefits for the People 271