Sources said Monday that South Korean and U.S. military officials are stepping up talks on relocation of the main U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) base in Yongsan, central Seoul. Defense Ministry officials said that the ministry would start detailed discussions with USFK this month of the proposed base relocation through a high-level policy consultation group, which was formed last month to discuss Yongsan issues. The ministry's policy counselor, Maj. Gen. Cha Yong-ku, and USFK deputy chief of staff, Maj. Gen. James N. Soligan, represent Korea and the United States, respectively, in the Defense Ministry-USFK Senior Consultation Group for Yongsan Issues. Sources said...the two sides agreed to include in the consultation group working-level officials, such as engineers and legal experts, for detailed talks on base relocation. An official said...as soon as the official signing of the Korea-U.S. Land Partnership Plan (LPP) is finished March 15, the two sides will launch on-site inspection of prospective relocation sites while reviewing related laws and regulations. Several prospective sites are now under consideration for new USFK homes, including Songpa-gu in southeastern Seoul and two cities south of the capital, Suwon and Songnam.