U.S. apologizes for chemical dumping

U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) officially apologized to the Korean people July 24 for the illegal dumping of toxic chemicals, including formaldehyde, into the Han River, and promised that such an incident would never occur again.

Lt. Gen. Daniel Petrosky, commander of the 8th U.S. Army, expressed his deepest apologies for the mishap and the resulting stress and anxiety suffered by the Korean people through a statement read by USFK spokesman Samuel Taylor III at the Defense Ministry.

This is the first time that a commander of the 8th U.S. Army has apologized for a U.S. military wrongdoing in the 45 years its has been stationed here.

Petrosky said USFK would take appropriate steps based on the findings of the ongoing investigation into the incident, adding that every possible measure would be taken to prevent it from recurring. The general also pledged to share the results of the probe with the Korean public in the near future.

Petrosky said that the USFK acknowledged the importance of the incident and that he would stake his honor on ensuring that the investigation was fair and thorough. He added that USFK also felt grief over the suffering of Korean people and that they would do their best to be a good neighbor.