Humphreys is farther away from the DMZ than the old base in Seoul to avoid shelling, but North Korea has developed weapons capable of firing here.

US troops are in the final stages of the transfer to Humphreys, the world's largest overseas base near the city of Pyeongtaek, South Korea. Humphreys was built in the 2000s, in an attempt to get American troops stationed in South Korea out of the reach of Korean artillery in the event of a conflict.

Their former garrison base is Yongsan, located in the heart of Seoul, about 70 km from the Korean border and within the range of North Korean shelling.

The Humphreys base covers an area of over 14 square kilometers, and costs $ 11 billion to build, mostly paid for by South Korea. Humphreys will become home to more than 35,000 American soldiers, civilian employees and family members. It is one of the largest construction projects expected to help the US military show its strength in the Pacific region.

However, right from the time the Humphreys base was not completed, North Korea developed various types of large-sized jet guns, ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons. The ultra-large jet has just been developed by North Korea is believed to be able to reach the base of Humphreys, located 64 km from Seoul.

"The North Korean announcement in July said that it had developed weapons that could attack 'lucrative targets' in South Korea. We think these targets are Humphreys and air bases. Osan troops nearby, "said former US colonel David Maxwell.

North Korea's 300 mm rocket and KN-23 ballistic missile system can completely hit targets at Humphreys base. Cheongju Air Base, where the deployment of F-35 fighters of South Korea, is also under the threat of Korean weapons.

The U.S. Army deploys Patriot batteries and the High-Range Missile Defense System (THAAD) to protect positions in the area from North Korean attack. South Korea has also implemented an early warning system, but may have to redesign it after North Korea develops new weapons.

In the past, US troops were scattered along the demilitarized zone (DMZ) on the inter-Korean border. Since moving south, U.S. garrisons have gathered in large clusters, making it easier for North Korea to target.

"The US concentration of troops at the Humphreys base helps North Korea to identify targets easily. The KN-23 missile, which was tested by North Korea in the middle of the year, is similar to Russia's Iskander tactical ballistic missile. the ability to penetrate the Patriot shield, "said military expert Bruce Bennett at Rand Corp Research Institute.

A South Korean Defense Analysis Institute report published in October 2017 said that North Korea sees the Humphreys military base as a serious threat. "The size and size of Humphreys is a concern for North Korea. The base reflects the ability of the US military to station a long, stable position in South Korea and the number of troops may increase if a crisis occurs," This report says.

Some experts say North Korea does not want to attack US troops in South Korea for fear of retaliation. However, a North Korean military officer who defected in the 1990s disagreed with this statement.

"If there is a war on the peninsula, the main goal that North Korea aims is the US forces in Korea and Japan. This is why the late leader Kim Jong-il sought to develop a ballistic missile program. because he believes US leaders will have to accept defeat if more than 20,000 of their citizens die or are injured in the area, "the former North Korean military officer said during a testimony before the South Korean parliament in 1997. .

Bennett thinks this view may be maintained under Kim Jong-un. "I heard the same information from a North Korean military defector in 2017," Bennett said.

In addition to the risk of being attacked by North Korea with new weapons, the Humphreys base also faces a number of other problems, such as the soldiers here having to travel longer distances to the real ammunition arena near the DMZ to train. . The complex traffic between Pyeongtaek and Seoul, where the Ministry of Defense is based, affects direct contact with US forces in the event of a crisis.

US forces spokesman Jacqueline Leeker declined to comment on matters relating to the Humphreys base. "Any news related to rehearsals, training, sports activities or crisis response is extremely sensitive at this time. increase and directly influence diplomatic efforts, "Leeker said.

Location of the US Humphreys base in South Korea. Graphics: Asia Times.