South Koreans protest expansion of U.S. base south of capital

  • 12/15/2022
  • 21:55
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Pyongtaek, South Korea, July 10, SPA -- Thousands of protestersclashed with riot police at the site of the planned newheadquarters for the U.S. military in South Korea at ademonstration against the troops' move here from thecapital, Seoul. Some 7,000 demonstrators threw steel pipes and stones atabout 10,000 police guarding Camp Humphreys in Pyongtaek,about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Seoul. Somedemonstrators were seen bleeding but the number of injuredwasn't immediately known, The Associated Press reported. "The government made an agreement with the United Stateswithout consensus from the residents," said one protester,Oh Jeong-sun, 56. "No matter how much the governmentcompensates me, I will not leave here." The U.S. military in South Korea is now headquartered atYongsan Garrison in Seoul, but is set to move its entirecommand to Pyongtaek by 2008 as part of plans toconsolidate bases and reduce the number of U.S. troops. About 32,500 American troops are now deployed in SouthKorea, but that number will eventually drop to 24,500. Meanwhile, a group supporting the relocation also held arally in Pyongtaek that drew about 500 people, SouthKorea's Yonhap news agency reported.--SPA1422 Local Time 1122 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/275845

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