ROK Government Takes Soil Samples from Around Yongsan Garrison
Here is the latest on the Yongsan Garrison ground water pollution issue:
The Seoul city government conducted its own survey on soil and water near the U.S. base in the central part of the capital for possible contamination with toxic chemicals on Wednesday, amid growing calls for the disclosure of pollution levels in the area.
Officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government visited the outer areas of the U.S. military base in Yongsan to examine the soil and groundwater, according to the city government.
They selected six spots outside the fenced-off military camps to extract soil and water from as deep as 10 meters down, it said, adding that it will take about a month to analyze it and reach a conclusion.
It is the first time that the city government has carried out a test of its own to analyze the level of contamination near the U.S. army base in Seoul. It had surveyed water near a subway station closest to the base, from which it claimed to have detected benzene 587 times the permissible level. [Yonhap]
You can read more at the link, but this pollution issue has long been one that South Korean leftists have used to stoke anti-US sentiment and the Korean government uses to get additional money out of USFK for clean up expenses after the expected closure of Yongsan Garrison which according to the SOFA they don’t have to pay.
Or is it from the open air car mechanic shops across the street? Agreed to the return in an as in condition, as I understand. That was the agreement, now trying to come up with any reason to change the deal.
It’s all about that base… goes the song…
In this case, it’s all about soaking vullible Unxle Sam; but Obama ain’t in charge any more…
One of tbe finer points of contract negotiations is that once you sign it, those are the terms. You cannot make changes unless both sides agree.
I have seen auto repair shops near USAG Yongsan draining fluids out of a car parked along the curb directly into the storm drain. Yet on every military base I served on for 23 years, every precaution was taken to contain spills and they had robust fluid disposal programs. Korean govt. needs to take care of the plank in their own eye before worrying about the splinter in USFK’s eye.