Govt. holds meeting with residents near USFK live-firing range

Defense ministry officials held a meeting with residents near a US Forces Korea (USFK) firing range in the northern city of Pocheon on Wednesday as part of efforts to address safety and other complaints over firing drills, the ministry said.

Residents near the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, some 45 kilometers north of Seoul, have long complained about noise, unexploded ordnances and other damage incurred by the drills.

During the meeting in Pocheon, some 40 government officials, including Vice Defense Minister Park Jae-min, discussed with residents compensation measures, such as ongoing projects to extend a subway line for the residents and to build a welfare center in the city.

It was the fifth regular meeting to resolve the issue since the first session was held in June 2018.

Located near the inter-Korean border, the complex, also known as the Yeongpyeong range, is one of the few live-fire training facilities for the US military in South Korea.

"The defense ministry will put forth efforts to push for resident support programs in consultations with the USFK and other related government agencies based on the residents' opinions suggested at the meeting," it said in a release. (Yonhap)