The epic relocation of U.S. Forces Korea headquarters from Yongsan in Seoul to Pyeongtaek will not be completed by the 2016 deadline.

Korea and the U.S. decided last Thursday to face the reality, which announced to the press by Kim Kie-soo, who heads the project on the Korean side, and Lt. Gen. Bernard Champoux, the U.S. Eighth Army commander.

Kim blamed "unexpected things" like the bankruptcy of a contractor and changes in U.S. policy, rather than bad planning or management. But Kim promised the relocation will start next year and be completed in 2017. He also claimed there would be "no obstacles" to converting the Yongsan garrison into a park over the scheduled 2019-2027 period.

The original decision to move USFK headquarters and some other bases further south from the demilitarized zone was made in April 2003 by then President Roh Moo-hyun and his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush. The new site in Pyeongtak, Gyeonggi Province, was decided the following year.

Construction is 86 percent complete, with builders still busy buildings, roads, water supply and drainage.