I noticed this story on the Stars and Stripes. USFK is spending $2.5 million upgrading gates around Yongsan Garrison. I have to ask; why are we still spending big bucks on a base that we are leaving over the next few years?

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The present temporary contraptions that flip up, supposedly to stop a vehicle bent on running through the gate, are dangerous. I heard that an accident with one a while back cost a life. I saw one had captured a large bus one day. It took all day to remove the bus!
The reason given for replacement, of course, is Force Protection.
I have NOT actually read the agreement between the Korean Govt. and the U.S. regarding the future proposed move to the Camp Humphreys area. I may try later on. I do know that the new U.S. Embassy will be built where Camp Coiner now stands, inside this compound. Dragon Hill Lodge will also remain. I suspect embassy housing will remain. Probably much more. That may well be sufficient reason to protect the area.
No one in the know actually believes that the "Move" will be anytime soon. One reason is that the Korean government can't even BEGIN to build us another compound in the south until they make some sort of a deal with the unfortunate people who are being deprived of their land and livelihood down by Pyongtaek. That is a giant problem between the Korean govt., who, by the way, ASKED US TO RETURN THE LEASED PROPERTY in Yongsan. We are giving up a much larger area than they are preparing for us down south. Protestors- we didn't ASK for your land! Your government started it. I hope you are justly compensated, but realistically, previous "confiscations" appeared to me to be very unfair. I wish you good luck.

I always thought that money is purposly spent every year on unnecessary upgrades, road work, etc. in order to maintain or expand the next year's budget. If you notice, a lot of work begins right before or after the end of the fiscal year. You'll also notice...there is always construction going on in a garrison or base and you'll always ask, "Why are they tearing that thing up again? They just fixed that last year!"

Yes, eddiev9, you have generally observed correctly. There are always things that need fixed or rebuilt on an old facility like Yongsan. There are good government employees, both Military and Civilian, who do their best to get the most important items done first. Often there is some uncommitted money that is remaining at the end of the year, and an effort to spend it for necessities is made. Unless there have been changes that I am unaware of, that is the method our government has used for years.
No one wastes the money on purpose, but sometimes it sure looks like that someone's pet project which may benefit only a chosen few, gets moved up in priority!
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