The Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States have signed an agreement to move the US military headquarter out of Seoul.  

The document, composed by Umbrella Agreement and Implementation Agreement, says that the US forces will move to Pyeongtaek, a town about 70 kilometers south of Seoul.

The Yongsan military base in the heart of Seoul will be returned to the ROK.

In 1990, an agreement had been settled on the Yongsan base relocation but it was suspended due to intense domestic criticism over unfavorable terms to the ROK.

The two sides resumed the talks on the relocation of Yongsan base in 2002.

The high-profile presence of the Yongsan Garrison has been a constant source of anti-American protests by locals for decades.

(CRI.com October 27, 2004)