Gen. B.B. Bell, commander of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), made an apology Monday for an assault by a U.S. soldier on a South Korean woman in her sixties Sunday morning.
"I am shocked and horrified at the egregious nature of this crime, and I am extremely upset by this senseless act against an elderly woman. On behalf of USFK I want to express my personal apologies for the great suffering caused her and to the Korean people for this terrible incident," Bell said in a press release.
The South Korean police are investigating allegations that the 23-year-old suspect, whose name has not been released, punched the 67-year-old woman in the face and raped her in a narrow path of a residential area in western Seoul around 6 a.m. Sunday, according to police investigators.
"I have every confidence in those now investigating, and we will respect Korean law and assist those investigating in every way to ensure justice," Bell said.
Bell directed his subordinate military service commanders to immediately review their procedures for granting passes and controlling their servicemembers during off-duty hours with the intention of preventing similar acts in the future, the press release said.
"This assault diminishes all of us, and this vicious act is an affront to all Americans and especially those serving here who are sworn to protect this land. We stand ready to aid the woman and her family in this time of great sorrow," said Bell.
Bell's apology followed a similar one Maj.Gen. John Morgan, acting commander of the 8th U.S. Army here, issued Sunday, representing Washington's awareness of the explosiveness of such an incident in the Asian nation.
"While no words can lessen the anguish of the victim or her family, I deeply regret and personally apologize for this terrible incident that has resulted in grave injury to a Korean civilian," Morgan said in a press release posted on an informal Web site of the U.S. forces in Korea, www.goodneighbor.or.kr.
The United States currently has 30,000 soldiers stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against possible aggression by North Korea.
Under the Status of Forces Agreement between the two countries, South Korea has jurisdiction over U.S. servicemembers suspected of committing major crimes, such as murder and sexual assault, while not on official duty.
The U.S. forces have been quick to react to crimes or accidents involving its servicemembers here since a 2002 accident in which two South Korean schoolgirls were run over and killed by a U.S. military armored vehicle, leading to a series of protest rallies and candlelight vigils throughout the nation.
Seoul, Jan. 15 (Yonhap News)
Commander of USFK apologizes for assault by U.S. soldier on Korean woman |
