Pocheon City faces internal dispute over former 6th Corps land exchange

Pocheon City and the Ministry of National Defense have reached an agreement to exchange municipal land for state-owned land located within the former 6th Corps site. Under the proposed plan, the city would transfer approximately 67,680 square meters of municipal land to the Ministry in exchange for 58,290 square meters of state land, while receiving the pure return of the remaining 108,148 square meters of municipal land.

The city administration argues this exchange is necessary to secure a more cohesive land shape for future development and to expedite the process, as returning the site in its original form could take an additional four to five years due to the need for relocating military command facilities. The city aims to integrate the area with a planned high-tech strategic industrial complex.

However, the proposal has sparked disagreement within the Democratic Party of Korea members of the Pocheon City Council. Some council members are protesting the move, arguing that the exchange effectively secures conditions for the military to remain stationed in the area long-term. They are demanding the full return of all municipal land without exchange. Other council members have expressed concerns regarding the potential loss of access roads to the planned industrial complex, though city officials have pledged to ensure connectivity through bridges or elevated roads during the contract stage.