Military minimall for US troops in Korea

A $6.2 million US military minimall has been officially opened for troops relocating to an expandedCamp Humphreys in South Korea.

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) centre includes fast-food restaurants, a barber shop and a retail store, across the street from a new barracks at the US Army garrison 88km south of Seoul. This means soldiers will no longer need to take a bus to the central food court and commissary that previously served the whole post.

Soldiers at the opening ceremony were told the minimall will save them time and help alleviate queues and crowding. The complex also is near a chapel, theatre and gym.

Its 124-seat dining room has a Starbucks, Subway and Taco Bell. There is also a dry cleaner, an eight-chair barber shop and a grocery store that also sells other items.

Construction of the almost 24,000 sqft (2229 sqm) building three years ago, with the South Korean government paying $4.4 million and the AAFES $1.8 million. The South Korean government is funding most of the $10.7 billion overall expansion project.

AAFES regional senior VP Karin Duncan says four more amenities will open late next year, including a 300,000 sqft post exchange.

The US has about 28,500 serving military in South Korea, which remains technically at war with the North after the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice instead of a peace treaty.