U.S. military rejects state human rights commission inquiry
Protestors continue to demand revision of SOFA and local jurisdiction of the two soldiers arrested for running over two Korean schoolgirls with a military vehicle several weeks ago.
Source : Base21
by Terry Park/Staff Reporter
parkterry@hotmail.com
Seoul, Korea--In a move likely to escalate already volatile tensions between the United States military and South Korea, the Korea Herald has reported that the U.S Forces Korea (USFK) has rejected an official request from the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) to respond to a written inquiry concerning possible human rights violations of two Korean reporters.
The two internet news reporters were physically assaulted and detained by U.S. soldiers while attempting to cover protests of the death of two junior-high school students killed by a U.S. military vehicle at Camp Red Cloud in Uijeongbu.
The reporters filed a petition with the state commission on June 26. Two written requests for information on the incident sent to the commander of the U.S. 2nd Infrantry Division were ignored. According to the commission, if the commander refuses to respond by July 25, the NHRC can impose a fine of up to 10 million won (about $7,700).
Meanwhile, civic groups continued a slew of angry protests earlier this week. A news conference in front of the U.S. embassy in Seoul was held on Tuesday, with activists demanding the U.S. military fully disclose the details of the fatal incident as well as punishment of the two soldiers who drove the armored vehicle. Protestors also demanded a revision of the Status Forces of Agreement, or SOFA, which grants a large amount of legal protection for U.S. soliders accused of committing crimes in South Korea. Another 200 people from five civic groups gathered for Youth Action Day on Wednesday, demonstrating for Korean jurisdiction of the two soldiers.
Another rally, called "Citizen Action Day," is planned for Saturday.
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