[CPEO-MEF] South Korean base closures

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

News reports from South Korea suggest that U.S. forces there are turning 
over fifteen bases to the South Korean government without agreeing to 
take responsibility for explosive and other hazardous waste 
contamination. This is disappointing, but regardless of which government 
assumes responsibility for the likely environmental mess, something 
needs to be done.

Very little information about that contamination has been disclosed to 
the public, but based upon the condition of similar bases in the United 
States, one should expect that there have been repeated or even 
continuing releases over their decades of operation.

These properties are slated for civilian reuse, but thus far there has 
been little or no discussion in Korea over their environmental 
condition. Experience with base closures in the United States teaches us 
that environmental investigations should inform reuse decisions, and 
that reuse plans may influence environmental response.

Today I met with an activist from Green Korea, and based upon what I 
learned I recommend that the South Korean government establish a 
commission to oversee the assessment, investigation, remediation, and 
reuse planning for the closing bases. That commission should ensure that 
each property is inspected and sampled before any reuse decisions are 
made, and that all information generated in the course of such 
investigations be made public.

All these tasks can and should be be carried out whether or not U.S. 
forces accept responsibility for the pollution they released.

Lenny Siegel

--


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org


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