Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

U.S. Military Firing Range in Maehyang-ri to Close Off

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

    Pyongyang, April 24 (KCNA) -- The south Korean "Ministry of National Defence" recently clarified that it agreed with the U.S. military side to close off the firing range in Maehyang-ri, Hwasong County, Kyonggi Province and concluded a "plan for implementation" of it. The inhabitants in Maehyang-ri have suffered serious damage by noise. Terming it a victory won by the inhabitants, the All-People Measure Committee for the Closure of the U.S. Military Bombing Ground in Maehyang-ri and other related organizations and south Koreans from all walks of life who waged an undaunted struggle demanding the closure of the firing range, a signed commentary of Minju Joson today says:
    The U.S. military firing range in Maehyang-ri was set up in 1951 when the Korean war was raging and it has since been officially operated according to the south Korea-U.S. "Status of Forces Agreement." Therefore, its inhabitants have waged a staunch struggle to get rid of the sufferings and disaster caused by war exercises staged by the U.S. imperialist aggressors there and win reparations for them.
    Shortly ago, inhabitants in Maehyang-ri filed a law suit in a court against the authorities in order to force them to pay reparations for the damage done by noise in areas around the firing range. The court passed a final decision demanding them pay consolation money to them.
    The U.S. military bases in south Korea are a hotbed of crimes, environmental pollution and a base from which to start a war of aggression against the DPRK.
    The controversial firing range is expected to close off next year thanks to the staunch struggle waged by the south Koreans including Maehyang-ri inhabitants. But the U.S. is demanding south Korea provide another firing range.
    The south Korean authorities and the U.S. should dismantle all the U.S. military bases in all parts of south Korea including Kunsan, Tongduchon, Taegu, Ryongsan and Phyongthaek and withdraw the U.S. imperialist aggressor troops from south Korea.