Serious environmental contamination found at U.S. bases

Protesting environmental pollution, residents stage a demonstration on April 20 in front of the U.S. Army base in Yongsan, central Seoul. (Park Jong-shik)

No agreement reached between S.K., U.S. on cost, cleanup

The Ministry of National Defense announced May 30 that most U.S. military bases in South Korea have serious environmental problems. According to the ministry’s data, twenty-four out of 27 bases inspected recently were found to have soil contaminated beyond acceptable safety standards, and at 15 bases underground water contamination was especially serious.

However, the ministry did not disclose the specific pollution levels found at the U.S. bases. During the eighth Security Policy Initiative talks in Hawaii on May 25, the South Korean and U.S. sides discussed costs and cleanup measures, but failed to reach agreement.

U.S. military bases in South Korea are currently engaged in a major geographical overhaul, after a contract signed with South Korea two years ago agreed to the consolidation and closure of a number of bases, including the moving of troops currently stationed in downtown Seoul’s Yongsan Garrison to bases further south. The moves, and the returning of land to South Korea, are expected to be completed by 2008.