The president of South Korea, Roh Moo-Hyun, has defended a decision to relocate American troops outside the capital. President Roh told political allies there was nothing to worry about, despite critics' warnings of a dangerous security vacuum.
 The US agreed to relocate the 7,000 troops in Seoul within three years |
He said the government had done its best in negotiations with the United States and it was anachronistic to think US troops were still needed in the capital.
Conservatives, however, say the move leaves Seoul dangerously vulnerable to North Korean aggression.
The United States agreed to relocate the 7,000 troops to safer positions further south within three years.
It follows a recent upsurge of anti-American sentiment in the country that is part of a broader repositioning of American troops in the region.
15,000 frontline troops are also to be pulled south, out of range of North Korean artillery.
The US says it will put more emphasis on long range precision weapons.
Opposition politicians have promised to fight the relocation. Some accused the government of sympathising with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il.
The North has long demanded the withdrawal of US troops from Korea.
Others, though, have welcomed the decision.
One newspaper described it as a restoration of national pride.
A spokesman for the city government said the sprawling site in central Seoul would be turned into a national park.
It has been occupied by foreign troops for more than a century, first by the Chinese, then the Japanese and then the Americans.
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