Suspicious substance that sparked Yongsan scare proves to be flour
By Jim Lea, Osan bureau chief
South Korean police and military biological warfare experts rushed to
a pedestrian overpass near the U.S. Army’s Yongsan Garrison in Seoul to investigate a
suspicious white powder Saturday.
Police said people reported the powder, expressing fears it could be
anthrax or another biological agent, but chemical analysis determined it was flour.
An investigation revealed the flour apparently was scattered by a
U.S. military running club earlier Saturday, police said.
Terrorist threats of retaliation for U.S. attacks in Afghanistan, and
a handful of reported anthrax cases in the United States have people in Seoul on edge.
North Korea is believed to possess supplies of anthrax. Pyong-yang
twice has called the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States “regrettable” and has
said its “unchangeable policy” is to oppose all forms of terrorism. But the
North remains on the U.S. list terrorism-sponsoring states.
Also on Saturday, South Korea’s National Institute of Health
told doctors and hospitals nationwide to immediately report anyone treated for symptoms of
anthrax, smallpox or ebola.
A spokesman said the institute — which operates under the Health
and Welfare Ministry — purchased $1.1 million worth of vaccine and antibiotics for
treating anthrax, plague and smallpox in preparation for any possible biological attacks.
The institute is setting up monitoring offices in 10 cities across
the country to keep tabs on any suspected anthrax, smallpox, ebola or plague cases, the
spokesman said. The institute also is sending a team of experts to the United States to
obtain advice and cooperation from U.S. experts, he said.
Bae Gi-chul contributed to this report.
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