Officials reach agreement for moving U.S. forces Published July 26, 2004 WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Department of Defense officials announced July 23 that South Korean and U.S. representatives finalized agreements to remove all U.S. forces from the Seoul metropolitan areaNearly 8,000 U.S. servicemembers will move about 43 miles south to the Pyongtaek area near Osan Air Base.The decision was reached during the 10th round of the Future of the Alliance talks held in Washington recently. The agreement fulfills a commitment made by President Bush and President Roh Moo-hyun at their summit meeting in Washington in May 2003.Officials expect the relocation of U.S. forces will be complete by December 2008.“This relocation agreement helps us meet our enduring commitment to the defense of Korea and to the security and stability of the region,” said Richard Lawless, the U.S. deputy undersecretary of defense for Asia Pacific affairs.