ED Fair share of cleanup costs

Government hit for hastily agreeing on US military sites' return

The government agreed to the return of 12 U.S. military sites, including part of Yongsan Garrison in central Seoul, last Friday. Local administrations had called for the return of the 12 sites ― six in Seoul and six elsewhere ― to push for regional development projects by turning them into parks or residential lots. However, they may have to shoulder high decontamination costs in the process, and the central government should discuss the cleanup cost issue with the U.S.

Among the 12 sites, two places are drawing the biggest interest ― Camp Kim and the land used to house sports facilities within Yongsan Garrison's South Post. According to a report, however, the Ministry of Environment has detected the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) at above-standard levels and dioxin which is defined as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization. It is worrisome because these sites are slated for use as a public park and a housing complex.

The cleanup cost issue had been the biggest stumbling block in the negotiation for the return of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) bases since 2001. The two governments showed a vast difference in views on interpreting the phrase, “known, imminent and substantial endangerment to human health.” The government decided to pay the cleanup costs first and discuss how to share them later. Under the “pay-first, share-later” method, the government has had to pay an estimated 200 billion won ($183 million) in the last two years.

Civic groups are resistant to the approach. They say the government handled the matter hastily without demanding the cleanup of contaminated land via the proper consultation process. Officials say they had to hurry to conclude the bargaining, “considering the economic and social difficulties facing local administrations.” The concerns of these officials are understandable as the longer the process is delayed, the higher the land prices rise.

However, environmental issues should not take a backseat to economic concerns. Cleaning up the sites is no less important than the U.S. side swiftly signing them over. Another 12 military sites will be returned to Korea soon. Instead of conducting bargaining on individual sites, the government should push for revising the environmental provision in the Status of Forces Agreement to ensure the U.S. shoulders a fair share of the decontamination costs.