Residents file complaint against U.S. helicopter bases

Hundreds of residents of Taemyong-dong, Nam-gu, Taegu, filed a complaint against the U.S. 20th backup force at Camp Walker, claiming that they have been disturbed by noise and vibrations since the force recently moved its helicopter bases close to residential areas.

According to the residents, the helicopter bases were moved closer to residential areas on Jan. 30 and have since created serious levels of noise and vibrations.

The residents said that because helicopters often take off and land at night, they have had difficulty sleeping and some young children have even experienced convulsions.

The U.S. forces reportedly moved two of its helicopter bases to sites only 20 to 30 meters away from residential areas in Taemyong-dong.

Disgruntled residents recently sent a letter addressed to the commander of the force, calling for compensation and measures to solve the problem.

In the letter, the residents demanded that the force compensate them for mental suffering and property losses, which they said have continued for 40 years since the U.S. helicopter bases were set up in the area after the Korean War (1950-53).