Government relocating military spy complex

The Military Intelligence Agency, located in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul, will move its offices to Seongnam and Anyang in Gyeonggi province, the Ministry of National Defense announced Thursday.

A ministry official said the move will be completed by 2005 and the 181,500 square-meter site will be managed by the city of Seoul. The intelligence agency compound was built in 1971 when the agency was established.

With the agency's relocation the Seoul Metropolitan Government is free to build a planned six-lane road linking Seocho-dong and Bangbae-dong. Construction is scheduled to start at the end of 2003 and be completed by 2006. City officials said they expect the new road to relieve traffic jams in the southern Gangnam district.

The city also plans to purchase 58,410 square meters of the site to build a public park, and officials said they are considering developing houses on the remaining land.

"The move of the military intelligence agency will cost 270 billion won [$219 million]," said Hwang Ui-don, the Defense Ministry spokesman. Mr. Hwang said the ministry will take all measures to prevent any harm to the environment that might be caused by demolition of the 35 buildings on the site.

by Kim Min-seok