By Kim Se-jeong
The number of oil leaks on a U.S. military base in central Seoul reached 90 between 1990 and 2015, much higher than previously reported, said Green Korea, a Seoul-based NGO, Tuesday.
The NGO said it obtained a U.S. military internal document under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act. It alleged the total number should include six additional cases not mentioned in the document.
The Ministry of Environment said only five cases had been reported to it so far.
According to the group, out of the 90, 31 leaks involved more than 400 liters of oil. In seven cases, at least 3.7 tons of oil were leaked each time, and “the military document described them as worst incidents," according to Shin Soo-yun, activist from Green Korea.
Land contamination from oil leaks at the 8th U.S. Army headquarters on Yongsan Garrison has been reported before, but the revelation came as a big surprise due to the high number. The base is in the process of being returned to Korea, and negotiations for the land cleanup are yet to start.
The NGO criticized the Korean government for doing little.
“This is simple basic research, and shows the ministry has done nothing,” Shin said. “The ministry is responsible for cleanup negotiations with the U.S. Army.”
Shin also criticized the U.S. military for alleged “cover ups.”
A ministry official surnamed Hong explained the government’s inaction was due to the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). “Under SOFA, unless the U.S. military notifies us, it’s difficult to request any information first, even if it involves an incident posing a threat to the environment or public health.”