国际英语新闻:Environmental Investigation Underway on US Base in S. Korea

Scott Snyder, director of the Center for U.S.-Korea policy at the Asia Foundation in Washington, says “Trying to open issues related to SOFA becomes a sort of Pandora’s box, because there are a lot of different SOFAs around the world and if you make an exception for one then the others want to make sure that they are pressing [for changes].

Snyder says the Camp Carroll investigative team is a good example of how both governments are working together to resolve environmental issues, but Washington should consider bearing some of the cost.

“There does need to be a certain measure of responsibility on both sides and I think if looked at in the context of financial cooperation hopefully it will be possible to manage it in an effective way,” he said.

Shin Chang Hoon, director of International Law and Conflict Resolution at the Asan Institute in Seoul, agrees.

He says environmental issues on military bases put stress on U.S.-South Korea relations.

Shin says whether or not Agent Orange is discovered at Camp Carroll, the U.S. should offer the Korean public some kind of gesture, but needs to be careful how it’s worded.

“It must not be an apology, because apology means recognition of responsibility, but there must be some sort of address, such as regret,” he said.

Shin says if South Koreans believe that local U.S. troops do not care about their health and safety, then their anger could be re-directed at the government just ahead of an election year.

Some locals in Waegwan city say their opinion of U.S. forces has already changed. Kim Eun Young lives across the street from Camp Carroll. 

The 34-year-old says she had a pretty neutral view about the U.S. military.  But after she heard about Agent Orange she felt like her community had been lied to. She says that it’s very irresponsible that the U.S. buried chemicals in South Korean land.

Kim says she just hopes the United States and South Korean governments tell the whole truth about these chemicals.

The investigation into the Camp Carroll claims is expected to wrap up in mid July.