[CPEO-MEF] GLOBAL: 2007 study of U.S. bases return to South Korea

[Lenny Siegel <lennysiegel@gmail.com>]

Report reveals toxic pollution at numerous USFK bases
Conducted in 2007, study findings were not disclosed to the public  
due to the SOFA

Nam Jong-youngã
Hankyoreh (South Korea)
June 1, 2011
ã
Analysis of an environmental contamination report obtained by the  
Hankyoreh on Tuesday of 22 U.S. military bases returned to South  
Korea showed the discovery of high concentrations of materials such  
as phenol, a toxic material that can cause organ damage, and benzene,  
a carcinogen, at some of the bases. Oil pollution was discovered in  
the soil at 21 of the sites, the only exception being the Yongsan  
heliport. Inclusion of soil contaminated with heavy metals brought  
the area of contamination to roughly 25 times that of Seoul Plaza.

Prior to the basesâ return to South Korea, the Ministry of  
Environment conducted a thorough environmental pollution survey in  
2007 on 22 bases and lots, including Camp Page in Chuncheon and the  
Maehyangri firing range in Hwaseong. Controversy ensued when the  
report on its findings was not revealed to the public due to the  
Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between South Korea and the United  
States. Some of the information was disclosed in the process, but  
this marks the first time the entire report has been obtained and  
analyzed.

...

For the entire article, see
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/480749.html

--

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope Street, 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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