Three headquarters buildings were occupied in the last year by the U.S. The crush of soldiers and the families is causing early-morning traffic backups at the gates and lines at the only gas station on post.Īn additional 10,000 are expected within a few years, once three more apartment towers are completed. The total military and civilian population at the base now stands at 33,000, nearly tripling since 2012. Hoping to mollify Trump, Seoul also has stepped up its purchases of U.S.-made weapons, warplanes and other equipment, making it one of the top buyers of American military hardware. South Korea also built and paid for almost the entire $10.7-billion expansion at Camp Humphreys. military presence and more than almost any other U.S. That’s at least 50% of the cost of the U.S. South Korean officials and Korea experts in the United States point out that Seoul already pays more than $900 million a year. After the idea was leaked, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told Congress it would not be implemented. troops on their territory, along with another 50%. White House officials recently floated a proposal called “cost plus 50,” under which some allies would be asked to pay the full cost of U.S. officer, who asked not to be identified to speak candidly about such a sensitive subject. “We’re here and we feel like we’re going to be here for quite a while unless we hear otherwise,” said a senior U.S.

That’s left even senior American officers unsure whether withdrawals might be coming if South Korea does not comply.

Us army camps south korea