Mortuary manager directs toxic dumping

The Seoul Prosecutor`s Office has secured a statement from Albert MacFarland, a civilian specialist employee of the U.S. Forces Korea and deputy manager of the 8th U.S.Army Yongsan Mortuary, that he ordered subordinate employees to dump embalming fluid containing formaldehyde into Seoul`s municipal sewer, according to the prosecution bureau in charge of

investigating cases involving foreigners September 9. Along with a Korean-American employee under him, MacFarland is also suspected of having joined in the act of dumping the toxic chemicals.

Investigators said the specialist directed the dumping in the process of cleaning out an outdoor storage facility in February in spite of an earlier warning by the mortuary manager against any release of chemical solutions here, as they would be disposed of in a U.S. base in Okinawa. The warning was conveyed by his subordinate employee. Prosecution sources said that MacFarland admitted to the charge and expressed his willingness to submit to

legal punishment. Thus, he will be indicted on charges of violating the Waste Material Disposal Law by September 22, they said.