“On Monday, USFK confirmed that Agent Orange, widely used during the Vietnam War and later to clear foliage around the DMZ dividing the two Koreas, was buried at the camp but that it was later removed. Soil samples taken years later revealed trace amounts of dioxin, a key ingredient in
Agent Orange, USFK officials said.
Agent Orange has been cited for numerous health problems, including cancer, asthma, and birth defects. U.S. veterans, including those who served in Korea, have long sought treatment for related illnesses from the Veterans Administration, which just recently increased to 16 the number of
diagnoses recognized as being related to the herbicide.
While no definitive links have been made to health issues stemming from the USFK activities, one major broadcaster reported on Tuesday that Daegu, South Korea’s third-largest city, had the nation’s highest infant mortality rate at almost six per 1,000 births from 2007 to 2009. According
to one local television station that is part of the larger Seoul Broadcasting Station, Daegu is also high on the list of congenital birth defects, raising questions over the possible connection to chemical contaminants found in the soil.
South Korea’s official news agency Yonhap, meanwhile, reported Wednesday that ROKA forces enlisted civilian help in spreading toxic agents “by hand” near the demilitarized zone throughout the 1970s. One villager told reporters that he has suffered from asthma ever since, but has been consistently denied restitution from the state.
A USFK spokeswoman on Wednesday attempted to distance the U.S. military from the growing scandal, saying that as part of the existing Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) signed between the two countries, conditions at Camp Mercer in Bucheon became Seoul’s responsibility once the base
was returned to ROKA in 1993.
According to the agreement, the U.S. cannot be held liable for conditions at any installation once it has been returned and accepted by South Korea. That has many in this country angered at the perceived callousness of the United States and at Seoul’s failure to inspect the bases prior to accepting them.”
(((sigh…))))
thanks for sharing, Carrie
off to the other dream land…
Some people are healers of Chiron wounds and don’t even know it. Today, a friend gave me a precious gift and didn’t even realize it. I realized the magnitude of the gift and it humbled me with awe and inspired me. I could see the value of this gift, shining in my heart. I didn’t ask for this gift, I asked for something far less and yet the offering of the gift was made freely and without reservations. I can never repay this beautiful gift; it is an honor to be this person’s friend. I wish there were more people like this friend in the world. I aspire to be like this friend.
synchronicity strikes again. this in from carol van strum:
http://newamericamedia.org/2011/05/anger-grows-in-south-korea-over-us-dumping-of-agent-orange.php#
“On Monday, USFK confirmed that Agent Orange, widely used during the Vietnam War and later to clear foliage around the DMZ dividing the two Koreas, was buried at the camp but that it was later removed. Soil samples taken years later revealed trace amounts of dioxin, a key ingredient in
Agent Orange, USFK officials said.
Agent Orange has been cited for numerous health problems, including cancer, asthma, and birth defects. U.S. veterans, including those who served in Korea, have long sought treatment for related illnesses from the Veterans Administration, which just recently increased to 16 the number of
diagnoses recognized as being related to the herbicide.
While no definitive links have been made to health issues stemming from the USFK activities, one major broadcaster reported on Tuesday that Daegu, South Korea’s third-largest city, had the nation’s highest infant mortality rate at almost six per 1,000 births from 2007 to 2009. According
to one local television station that is part of the larger Seoul Broadcasting Station, Daegu is also high on the list of congenital birth defects, raising questions over the possible connection to chemical contaminants found in the soil.
South Korea’s official news agency Yonhap, meanwhile, reported Wednesday that ROKA forces enlisted civilian help in spreading toxic agents “by hand” near the demilitarized zone throughout the 1970s. One villager told reporters that he has suffered from asthma ever since, but has been consistently denied restitution from the state.
A USFK spokeswoman on Wednesday attempted to distance the U.S. military from the growing scandal, saying that as part of the existing Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) signed between the two countries, conditions at Camp Mercer in Bucheon became Seoul’s responsibility once the base
was returned to ROKA in 1993.
According to the agreement, the U.S. cannot be held liable for conditions at any installation once it has been returned and accepted by South Korea. That has many in this country angered at the perceived callousness of the United States and at Seoul’s failure to inspect the bases prior to accepting them.”
(((sigh…))))
thanks for sharing, Carrie
off to the other dream land…
*~*
I am listening to Eric Whitacre’s music:
http://www.youtubeloop.com/v/7SquuW7V45A#s=0&e=90
Some people are healers of Chiron wounds and don’t even know it. Today, a friend gave me a precious gift and didn’t even realize it. I realized the magnitude of the gift and it humbled me with awe and inspired me. I could see the value of this gift, shining in my heart. I didn’t ask for this gift, I asked for something far less and yet the offering of the gift was made freely and without reservations. I can never repay this beautiful gift; it is an honor to be this person’s friend. I wish there were more people like this friend in the world. I aspire to be like this friend.