Political Incidents

Soil Contamination Adjacent to U.S. Embassy Compound

January 16, 2003

An independent Korean environmental consultant referred to the Embassy by Seoul City has conducted an extensive assessment of the soil contamination found on and near the Embassy's Namyoung-Dong Compound. There is a good indication that the contamination originated on the Embassy Compound. However, the exact source cannot be confirmed. The consultant further determined that, based on the Korean Environmental Standard, the contaminated soil on the City's property is isolated and limited to an area of approximately 46 cubic meters.

The Embassy will clean the contaminated soil on the City property and the Embassy Compound property as quickly as possible. This will be done in accordance with a remediation plan complying with Korean environmental regulations and standards that the Embassy is currently developing with the assistance of the Seoul City Government and the Ministry of Environment.