Forgotten victims of Agent Orange
An estimated 7,000 South Korean veterans of the Vietnam War are suffering from various medical problems after being exposed to defoliants such Agent Orange (2,4,5-T), which were contaminated with dioxin. Decades later, veterans have developed conditions such as skin and lung cancers, nervous disorders and suffer regularly from headaches and forgetfulness.  South Korea sent 312,000 troops to Vietnam, but they were not included in a class-action suit that resulted in a US$240 million settlement for Agent Orange victims from the US, New Zealand, Australia and Canada.
    In an attempt to make up for lost ground, the South Korean government will spend 15 billion won (US$20 million) in 1996 on living benefits and medical treatment for veterans—a 50% increase over 1995. It is also spending 200 million won (US$25,000) on a series of epidemiological studies that will examine the Vietnam veterans.

Far Eastern Economic Review, May 9, 1996.