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Civic groups demand the immediate discontinuation of biochemical experimentation at the US Forces Korea Busan Port Pier 8 base on Dec. 20. (Kim Yeong-dong)

US Forces Korea (USFK) held an on-site briefing on Dec. 20 to address allegations of biochemical experimentation at its Busan Port Pier 8 base. Residents were up in arms demanding the immediate halt of biochemical experiments and removal of related facilities.

USFK held a “CENTAUR” briefing that day at the Military Sealift Command Korea 837th Transportation Battalion at Pier 8 in the Gamman neighborhood of Busan’s Nam (Southern) District. In the briefing, it explained that CENTAUR, which stands for “capabilities enabling NBC [nuclear, biological, chemical] threat awareness, understanding, and response,” is an NBC-related system and an equipment operation system that has undergone completed testing. In other words, its claim was that CENTAUR is an early warning defense system against biological threats rather than a biological experimentation research program.

In 2016, USFK launched its “JUPITR project,” a biological and chemical weapon defense strategy, at its Busan Port Pier 8 base. It announced the project’s location the following year. USFK has been conducting the CENTAUR effort at Pier 8 since then.

Gen. Stephen Williams, the USFK chief of staff, explained that specimens of botulinum and other pathogens had been brought in and used for the CENTAUR defense detection system and remedies with notifications to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and customs. Characterizing the use as similar to a hospital or biological laboratory, he added that the samples were no longer being introduced and that samples in storage had been destroyed. He went on to stress that the US military had not brought any living biochemical specimens onto the Korean Peninsula or performed any experimental research.

A group called the Busan Citizens’ Countermeasures Committee for Expelling the Gamman Pier 8 US Military Unit Bacterial Weapon Laboratory held a press conference near the Pier 8 USFK base to call for an “end to deceptive and haphazard briefings.”

“The briefing was just a responsibility-dodging event reflecting the souring public opinion. USFK needs to immediately stop its illegal bacterial weapon experiments,” the committee said, adding that the “Ministry of National Defense and city of Busan also need to stop colluding with USFK for the sake of citizens’ lives and safety.” Residents also scuffled with police who blocked their attempt to make a protest visit to the USFK Pier 8 base.

“I’m concerned that in the unlikely event that biological or chemical agents leak to the outside, the human toll would be enormous,” said a resident surnamed Son.

“We cannot trust these briefings when the US military is merely disclosing what it feels free to disclose at the times and places it chooses. CENTAUR needs to be discontinued right now,” Son said.

Around 20 elementary, middle, and high schools are located with a three-kilometer radius of Busan Port Pier 8, along with around 30 apartment complexes, UN Memorial Cemetery, and other public institutions and facilities. The Busan Citizens’ Countermeasures Committee plans to continue holding demonstrations and campaigning until all USFK biological and chemical facilities have been removed.

By Kim Yeong-dong, Busan correspondent

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