The national movement for revising SOFA
Rooting out the infringement of human rights and the crimes committed by the U.S. army
Source : KOREA
"We must revise what is the most unfair agreement in the world, the SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement between Korea and the U.S., otherwise known as "Korea-America administrative agreement)."
After the shocking revelation of the massacre of civilian refugees at Nogunri by the U.S. troops during the Korean War, civil organizations are actively calling for revision of SOFA that prevents Korea from administering justice. Crimes by the U.S. troops amount to five a day and to about 1500 a year.
127 groups organized to put an end to American soldiers' crimes, such as "the movement to root out U.S. army crimes," "international democracy committee for human rights and peace" and "National committee of Buddhist monks" held a press conference at Hyang-rin Church in Myungdong at 11 in the morning on October 6th. At the conference, they formally launched "the National Movement for Revision of SOFA" (with Reverend Jeong-hyun Moon as their representative).
"Though created to meet the special circumstances of the Korean War, SOFA has remained unchanged for over 50 years. It deprives Koreans of their rights and protects the crimes committed by the U.S. troops," they declared.
The National Movement will hold a protest meeting every month in front of the U.S. embassy and at the same time, run a petition campaign to get signitures of citizens supporting the revision. In addition, they plan to send an official letter to the U.S. Administration, the Congress of other nations and the NGO (Non-Governmental Organization).
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