Clouds of dust from construction for the Pyeongtaek base expansion are threatening neighbors' health and the environment. The Sehui construction company began building an access road to a landfill site for the U.S . base expansion on January 2nd. The company has refused to build barriers to prevent the dust from affecting local residents.
Residents of the village of Dongchangri (not far from Daechuri) say that since the construction began, reportedly under orders from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the village has been covered with a cloud of dust. Dongchangri resident Lee explains that, "The company has just pushed ahead with its construction, without any response to our several requests to build dust-blocking barriers." A Pyeongtaek city official has responded that "we will take actions against the company if any illegal activities appear."
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Pyeongtaek Participatory Solidarity demands an "Immediate end to the pollution caused by the US military base construction"
Pyeongtaek Participatory Solidarity demands an end to the unreasonable construction without any safety precautions for the environment or local residents. According to the organization, "The construction of access roads to the landfill site was started on January 2nd around Dachuri, Dongchangri and Doduri. But because the Seohui construction has been carried out without dust barriers, local residents have suffered from clouds of dust."
The group adds that, "Dust may harm not only nearby areas, but downtown Pyeongtaek, if precautions are not taken to stop the dust blow-off, especially in winter when the air is stable. Moreover, the dust may cause water pollution and ecological disruption around Pyeongtaek Lake."
From www.antigizi.or.kr. Translation by Seoul Radical Language |
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