U.S. calls for enhancing defense against 'very real' biological weapons threats from N. Korea

By Chang Jae-soon

WASHINGTON, July 31 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. shipment of live anthrax spores to South Korea was an "extremely regrettable" mistake that happened as the allies sought to enhance capabilities to cope with "very real and significant" biological weapons threats, a Pentagon official said Friday.

"While this was an extremely regrettable incident, it is important to keep in mind that our alliance biological defense programs are designed to enhance U.S. and ROK readiness and defensive capabilities in the face of very real and significant biological weapons threats," said Capt. Jeff A. Davis, a Pentagon spokesman.

"We look forward to continuing to work with the Republic of Korea, and all of our allies and partners," he said.

The officer was apparently referring to North Korea's biological warfare capabilities. According to South Korea's defense "white paper," the North is believed to be capable of cultivating various types of biological agents, such as anthrax, and producing them into biological weapons.

In late May, the Pentagon announced that a Department of Defense lab in Utah sent live anthrax samples to laboratories in nine U.S. states as well as an American military base in South Korea. Further mistaken shipments have since been revealed, bringing the total to 86 labs in 20 states, Washington, D.C., and seven foreign countries.

The bacteria should have been made inactive before shipments.

U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said at the time that the sample delivered to Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, was destroyed when it was suspected of being live, but 22 civilian and military personnel "may have been exposed" and were given emergency treatment, though none of them showed any signs of exposure.

It said the sample was brought in for a training exercise aimed at testing field equipment and new systems designed to identify toxins and pathogens.

The U.S. and South Korea have also launched a joint task force to look into the incident. Last week, the Pentagon announced the outcome of its month-long investigation into the case, blaming "deficiencies" in protocols for killing anthrax spores for the erroneous shipments.

"The US and ROK established an Alliance Joint Working group on U.S.-ROK Biological Defense Cooperation, which is reviewing the incident at Osan Air Base. The joint working group will incorporate information from the DoD Comprehensive Review," Davis said.

jschang@yna.co.kr
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