Claims have been raised that radon, a Grade 1 carcinogen, has been detected at levels exceeding standards for over 10 years in the B-1 bunker, which serves as the presidential command post during wartime, located within the Capital Defense Command.
Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the People Power Party held a press conference on the 17th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, disclosing radon levels measured by the military in certain areas of the B-1 bunker in 2020, 2022, and 2024, and criticized that "soldiers have been left unprotected and exposed to danger."
According to the data released by Rep. Yoo, the average radon levels in the B-1 bunker were 449.5 becquerels (Bq/m³) in 2020, 357 Bq/m³ in 2022, and 157.8 Bq/m³ in 2024, all exceeding the standard of 148 Bq/m³ set by the Indoor Air Quality Management Act. Notably, in some areas in 2020, radon levels soared to 711 Bq/m³, and in 2024, 706 Bq/m³ were detected, which is 4 to 5 times the acceptable limit.
The B-1 bunker is known to be structured in a way that allows for high concentrations of radon to continuously emerge from rock and groundwater, and the interior is cramped, making it difficult to bring in outside air and natural ventilation. According to Rep. Yoo, the Ministry of National Defense has invested over 10 billion won in environmental improvements over the past decade, but significant improvements in radon levels have not been realized.
Rep. Yoo also raised the issue that about 40 personnel from a staff office of the Strategic Command, established last October, have been stationed at the B-1 bunker, but the Ministry of National Defense did not officially inform them about the radon levels exceeding the standards. They were allegedly exposed to high levels of radon for three months while operating air conditioning at only 30% capacity.
Rep. Yoo pointed out that "radon cannot be completely removed by air conditioning, and particles that adhere to the air or dust can enter the human body through the respiratory system," and he stressed that "to put soldiers in that space while knowing this fact is a neglect of duty and may violate human rights."
As more than 1,000 soldiers are expected to be deployed to the B-1 bunker during the upcoming Korea-U.S. joint exercises in late August, concerns about radon exposure are growing. Rep. Yoo urged that "effective measures to lower radon levels throughout the entire B-1 bunker should be established immediately," adding that "if it is difficult to improve radon levels due to structural issues, a comprehensive review of the continued use of the bunker should be conducted, and alternatives such as establishing another command facility should be prepared."
In response, the Ministry of National Defense stated that "only certain areas within the B-1 bunker exceed the radon levels," and considering the execution of wartime missions, it is difficult to immediately discontinue use. It has completed adjustments to the work locations of the personnel on duty during peacetime and is preparing measures for personnel working in areas exceeding standards during wartime. In addition, it added that "we will conduct pilot projects on rock shielding and coatings, analyze the radon reduction effects and budget, and then consider whether to expand its application."