Political Incidents
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Update on Possible Oil Leak near U.S. Embassy Compound December 6, 2002 The United States Embassy, in close consultation with the Water Quality Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Policy Coordination Division of the Ministry of Environment, is continuing to survey a possible oil leak adjacent to the Embassy's Namyoung-Dong Compound. Earlier this week, the Embassy officially notified both offices by letter that we had opened an examination of the site. Subsequently, representatives of both offices visited the site and advised the Embassy on steps that should be taken under Korean regulations. We are grateful for their prompt cooperation. Based on their recommendations, we are now in the process of hiring an approved Korean firm to assist with the survey. Simultaneously, we are conducting core sampling and soil testing together with our Korean counterparts, and are removing an oil tank located in proximity to the site to determine as quickly as possible if there has been any leakage. The Embassy has drained all underground storage tanks in the immediate vicinity of the site in question. The Embassy will take full responsibility for cleaning the area in accordance with relevant Korean government standards should tests indicate that we are responsible for any contamination. The land in question is the diplomatic property of the U.S. Embassy and is not SOFA-related property belonging to U.S. Forces Korea. |