Korean Job Discussion Forums

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

My friend in the military told me they're planning on moving the Seoul base to a location just outside of Seoul, and that the move should be complete in about a year or so. We've speculated that it will have a serious, if not detrimental, effect on Itaewon. What do you speculate?

OCOKA Dude · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Location: Seoul

No, it (the move to Pyeongtaek), will not have a detrimental effect on Itaewon for the following reasons:

1) The U.S. Embassy, along with their various dependents, taking up residence on Yongsan Garrison, should talk up any slack resulting from EUSA's departure;

2) The real estate market in Korea is perpetually dynamic. Historically, whenever there's a vacuum left anywhere due to displacement of neighborhoods or businesses -- be it from war or economic upheaval -- there're invariably other takers who will fill the void even before the dust has settled. So if Hooker Hill disappears in fell swoop after the USFK's departure, I assure, that there will be a bevy of new microbreweries, trattorias, patisseries, ristorantes and cafes to take up residence there, along with plans already in the making for residential development, which Yongsan has so many potential possibilities for.

Emu Bitter · Joined: 27 May 2004 Location: Bundang

It will have a detrimental effect amongst the faggot uni students who used a traffic accident as an excuse for there idiotic anit-American bleating.They'll have to travel outside Seoul now, the poor dears.
If you'd protested when it actually happened instead of waiting till the World Cup finished you'd have more credibililty you pathetic losers.
You'd be speaking Chinese now if it wasn't for the U.N & the U.S.

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

Well put, Emu, couldn't have said it better myself.

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

OCOKA Dude · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Location: Seoul

Problem is that U.S. military personnel, whether they like it or not, are representatives of the U.S. government, and their leaders are direct representatives of the president of the United States. Korean people know this, and do not simply write off such bad behavior as the behavior of PV2 Joe Schmoe. No. They see the bad behavior of Joe Schmoe as an act of disrespect and contempt expressed by the U.S. gov't itself. This is the precarious position a foreign military is in overseas. In fact, whenever you are overseas, you are, whether you want to believe it or not, in some fashion, either officially or unofficially, a direct representative of your country, your race, your nationality, your culture, your religion, your creed, your family and of course, yourself.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

There are perhaps 20,000 military in the Itaewon area.

The greatest number are not earning that much, probably less than 24,000 USD a year. Whilst there could be a slow-down in certain bars the impact would not be great. Similarly, many of those 20,000 do not live off-base.

For all its faults, Itaewon is a desirable area in which to live. There are more foreign businessmen being based in Korea and their spending habits will more than compensate for the relocation of the GI's.

The move will not happen that quickly by the way, but I believe is already underway.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

I think it will take years to see the eventual effect.

A large park is planned for "a lot" of the Youngsan site.

A lot of residential units (apartments) will "rim" the park and will take years to construct.

The foriegn offices left behind (or newly built) will add to the commutity but maybe more like Hannam.

as for this quote though

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

they will never move!!!
they have been talking about it for 20 years or more!!

Kiddirts · Joined: 25 Jul 2003

US should move completely out of Korea, let em sweat a little bit. Koreans need to learn a little Korean history. I can't get off enough on what I see here.

chiaa · Joined: 23 Aug 2003

I think it will only have a positive effect on the Itaewon area. I think it is going to make it a bit classier. Essentially, Itaewon has been solider free for the past year due to the curfew. Businesses have already started moving away from having Army guys being their main customer base and are concentrating on: Koreans who have been overseas (those not ignorant on the West), expats working in Korea, and the curious Korean who wants something different.

You will see the street carts selling different items and the businesses down near McDonald's on the same side of the road changing their product as well.

Itaewon has been a foreigner area for hundreds of years. Do not think it will change all that much.