S Korea open second investigation into U.S. toxic dump rumors

South Korea has opened a second investigation in days into a report the US military dumped toxic chemicals at the former US base in Bucheon, west of Seoul.

The latest revelations emerged after South Korean media reported that a US veteran had said "hundreds of gallons" of "every imaginable chemical" were buried there between 1963 and 1964. Last week, three ex-servicemen revealed that they had buried the toxic chemical defoliant Agent Orange at Camp Carroll in Chilgok, about 300 kilometers southeast of the capital, in 1978. The United States Forces Korea has confirmed a large amount of chemicals were buried at the site but said they had been removed more than 30 years ago.

It said a review of military records showed trace elements of dioxin had been found at the site, but did not specify which chemicals. Agent Orange was used to clear jungle foliage during the Vietnam War and was also used years later around demilitarized zones on the peninsula. The toxic herbicide is suspected of causing serious health problems, including cancer, and birth defects.

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