Considering how popular the Dragon Hill Lodge is, I would not be surprised if from the US side these talks get slow rolled as much as possible:
The Dragon Hill Lodge at Yongsan Garrison
There was sharp criticism from the city of Seoul and civic groups that leaving the 240,000㎡ ROK-US CFC on the site of the Yongsan Garrison would cause the park that will be built there after the land is returned to South Korea to end up looking malformed. South Korea and the US bowed to the pressure by agreeing at the end of last year to move ROK-US CFC to a building on the precincts of South Korea’s Ministry of Defense, located nearby. The relocation of the ROK-US CFC to the Defense Ministry grounds is reportedly supposed to be completed within the year.
On the other hand, little progress has reportedly been made in deliberations between South Korea and the US about relocating the Dragon Hill Lodge, which is located on the grounds of the base. The original agreement was for the 84,000㎡ resort to remain at Yongsan regardless of the base’s relocation. But recently, objections have been raised about leaving a US military facility that is not open to South Koreans at the center of the planned park.“There have not been any official discussions, and we are currently exchanging opinions,” said Defense Ministry spokesperson Choi Hyeon-su when asked about this in April. [Hankyoreh]
Jealous Commies hating on DHL. Don’t want their property values affected by a legitimate landuse deal signed by the ROK government.
Robert
6 years ago
The same thing applies to the New Sanno in Tokyo. Japanese aren’t allowed there, either.
Flyingsword
6 years ago
If you believe old Yongsan will be a park you are probably answered those Nigerian prince emails. Rumor about the ROKs wanting to give the Dragon to a Korean hotel company are floating around.
Ole Tanker
6 years ago
Like an Old Infantry guy once said, “Just rip the Band-aid off!”. Deal with the pain.
guitard
6 years ago
“But recently, objections have been raised about leaving a US military facility that is not open to South Koreans at the center of the planned park.”
The Embassy Housing area is several times the size of the DHL – I don’t hear the Koreans bitching about that … yet!
guitard
6 years ago
“Rumor about the ROKs wanting to give the Dragon to a Korean hotel company are floating around.”
I can’t imagine that a Korean businessman or investor would want to re-purpose the DHL as a Korean hotel. The only thing unique about it is that it’s an “American” hotel. Once the base closes down, that goes away, and then it’s just a crappy looking 2-star hotel. It doesn’t even have underground parking for crying out loud …
J6Junkie
6 years ago
The businessman would be more interested in the land than the 28 year old DHL 2 star facilities.
Jealous Commies hating on DHL. Don’t want their property values affected by a legitimate landuse deal signed by the ROK government.
The same thing applies to the New Sanno in Tokyo. Japanese aren’t allowed there, either.
If you believe old Yongsan will be a park you are probably answered those Nigerian prince emails. Rumor about the ROKs wanting to give the Dragon to a Korean hotel company are floating around.
Like an Old Infantry guy once said, “Just rip the Band-aid off!”. Deal with the pain.
“But recently, objections have been raised about leaving a US military facility that is not open to South Koreans at the center of the planned park.”
The Embassy Housing area is several times the size of the DHL – I don’t hear the Koreans bitching about that … yet!
“Rumor about the ROKs wanting to give the Dragon to a Korean hotel company are floating around.”
I can’t imagine that a Korean businessman or investor would want to re-purpose the DHL as a Korean hotel. The only thing unique about it is that it’s an “American” hotel. Once the base closes down, that goes away, and then it’s just a crappy looking 2-star hotel. It doesn’t even have underground parking for crying out loud …
The businessman would be more interested in the land than the 28 year old DHL 2 star facilities.