Two ROKA “Environmental Battalions”, totalling 524 men, have started work after being created in response to reports of environmental pollution in the 23 former USFK facilities that were handed over to the ROK government.
Their jobs, according to the MND, are; to prevent the spread of contamination from the facilities to the outside environment, inspection of waste treatment and other environmental facilities, and carrying out of “environmental patrols.”
As for the actual clean up, the MND plans to select a civilian contractor on November. The selected contractor will then carry out the task during the second quarter of 2008.
The MND has budgeted US$10 million for the clean up effort.
