Page 173 - 2020 Defence White Paper

of the relevant units.
In response to such issues, in 2018, the MND conducted on-site inspections and
operational feasibility reviews on all unused installations in and outside military
premises for systematic removal. Based on the findings, the MND plans to carry
out active measures in removing unused installations which fall under the removal
requirements by comprehensively considering multiple factors, such as installations
that impede local governments’ development plans or are likely to cause damage to
the landscape and become a possible crime zone due to long-term neglect, as well as
the urgency, the operability, and the safety of troops.

Resolution of Private and After the Korean War, during the process of es-
Public Lands Occupied tablishment and maintenance of military units,
Without Permission the ROK Armed Forces has inevitably occupied
private and public land for reasons such as failure Chapter 5
to conduct boundary surveys, urgent operations, and unknown whereabouts of land
owners. Therefore, in order to guarantee the people’s property rights and to enhance
trust in the military, the MND continues to discover and normalize private and
public lands used by the military without legal compensation.
As of early 2019, out of the total private and public lands of 54,580,000㎡ occupied
and used by the ROK Armed Forces, 21,550,000㎡ of the lands is being occupied
unlawfully. Consequently, the MND purchases the lands that are still used and
needed by the ROK Armed Forces, leases the lands required for temporary use,
and returns the unused lands due to reasons such as relocation of the relevant units

after undergoing land restoration process, including removal of installations and soil
remediation.
Moreover, in 2019, the MND preemptively disclosed facts about unauthorized
occupation and provided guidance on the national reparation procedure to more
than 12,000 land owners which were occupied unlawfully, breaking away from
the existing method of responding only to civil complaints. As a result, national
compensation for unauthorized occupation–which had stood at around KRW 1.5
billion per year–reached a total of KRW 13.6 billion by November 2020, further
guaranteeing the people’s property rights.
By means of increasing the relevant budget and expanding the criteria for return,
the MND will make continuous efforts to enhance public trust in the ROK Armed
Forces and secure the legitimacy of land usage through early resolution of private
and public lands occupied without permission.

Chapter 5. Establishing a Fair, Transparent, and Efficient National Defense Operation System 171