Pyongyang, August 21 (KCNA) -- The south Korean People's Defoliant Measure Council held a press conference in Seoul on August 17 and announced the results of its investigation into the U.S. forces' environmental degradation in Waegwan, Chilgok County, North Kyongsang Province.

Speakers said the results of their investigation into the surroundings of the U.S. military base in Waegwan from July 13 to 15 proved that many inhabitants died of leukemia, anemia, various cancers, skin disease, nerve disturbance and other diseases. There are lots of people still suffering, they added.

The authorities, too, made a joint investigation with the U.S. forces side but, announcing its results, they said the cause for the detection of various toxic materials in the underground water within the base compound has not been confirmed, the speakers charged.

The authorities have not yet kept their promise to start the medical check-up of the inhabitants in the afflicted area, they said.

A systematic and broad investigation into the pollution of the U.S. military base in Waegwan should be made on the basis of the results of the recent investigation conducted by civic and public organizations, representatives and experts recommended by the inhabitants, they stressed.