[2] On February 9, 2000, Albert L. McFarland,[3] a 58-year-old American civilian[4] working as the deputy chief of a U.S. mortuary at the Yongsan Garrison in Seoul,[5] ordered his assistant to dispose of 480 bottles into a drain leading to the Han River because they were collecting dust.
[6] Kim reported the incident to McFarland's superiors at United States Forces Korea, but they dismissed the case, telling him that "there is no problem if you dilute it in water".
[6] On July 13, 2000, Green Korea United, an environmental activist group, hosted a press conference publicizing the event, which they referred to as "The US 8th Army's Poisonous Discharge into the Han River" and provided reporters with photographic evidence taken during the disposal.
[6][7] When media outlets reported the incident, the general public of South Korea was outraged and demanded McFarland be punished and the U.S. military, who they held accountable, issue an official apology.
[6] Anti-American protesters gathered outside of USAG Yongsan, the headquarters of USFK in South Korea, demanding Thomas A. Schwartz, the head of the United States Army Forces Command, be removed from his position.