The U.S. Forces Korea conducted 16 tests using live anthrax samples that were delivered to USFK bases here since 2009, a joint investigation by the two countries has discovered. The investigation also found that the U.S. military brought plague bacteria samples into Korea.In late May, when the U.S. admitted that the live anthrax samples were "accidentally" delivered to a U.S. airbase in Osan south of Seoul, exposing over 20 lab workers there to the deadly biological weapon, it claimed that only one test had been conducted. But there have apparently been many more.
Investigators claimed the samples were delivered, stored and handled according to international safety standards and that nobody was infected.
Asked why they had lied, U.S. military officials said
The USFK initiated what is known as the "JUPITR" program last year amid what it perceived as an increasing threat of a biological weapons attack by North Korea. The Joint United States Forces Korea Portal and Integrated Threat Recognition program, to give it its full name, aims to increase the USFK's capability of detecting chemical and biological weapons attacks. It claims the test and training for new JUPITR equipment were first conducted in Osan.
| Not sure you need live anthrax to detect CBW attacks... |
| Your government at work. Top. people. |
To address this problem, Seoul and Washington agreed Thursday to establish new set rules for U.S. shipments of biological samples to Korea. The USFK is now required to report the type, quantity and purpose of any samples as well as the identities of senders and recipients. Both sides will conduct a joint analysis on the samples if necessary in which the Korea Customs Service also takes part.
The new regulations are legally binding, according to military officials. But inactive samples do not have to be reported, making it doubtful what force it carries.
| So the new regulations are every bit as effective as the old regulations... |