Press Releases

Just like our Korean friends and neighbors, the members of the USFK community have been deeply saddened by the tragic accident that resulted in the deaths of Ms. Shim Mi-Son and Ms. Shin Hyo-Sun. Each of us in USFK wishes there was something we could do to change the events of that tragic day. We again apologize for the accident and accept full responsibility for what happened.

Unfortunately, there have been many inaccurate reports that have created false impressions in the Korean public concerning the genuineness of our sorrow and the actions we have taken since the accident. We want to address those inaccurate reports so the Korean people have a clearer understanding of the sincerity of our words and actions.

First of all, many media reports continue to suggest that no statements of remorse or official apologies were made or that they were late in being presented. On June13, the day of the accident, Lt. Gen. Daniel R. Zanini, the commander of the 28,000 soldiers assigned to Eighth U.S. Army, made the following statement: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic event. I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the children and pledge our resolve to vigorously investigate this accident.” That statement was followed by official apologies by the Commander of the Second Infantry Division, Major General Russel Honore; the Commander of USFK, General Leon LaPorte; and Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly. Ambassador Thomas Hubbard has on several occasions publicly apologized on behalf of the U.S. government.

Furthermore, the Second Infantry Division Commander and the Chief of Staff visited the families following the accident to apologize personally for the accident and to offer their assistance to the families. In an effort to provide for the immediate needs of the families, we presented an initial solatium payment of one million won to each family the day following the accident. USFK immediately initiated the process in order to accelerate the compensation to the families. USFK realizes that no amount of money will lessen the pain of the grieving families, but USFK is working diligently with the ROK government to present a final and just compensation to the families.

The men and women of USFK also felt compelled to respond. Hundreds of soldiers of the Second Infantry Division held a candlelight vigil to honor the two girls and express their remorse. Donations of more than $22,000 (26,400,000 won) collected by the soldiers in the Second Infantry Division have been presented to the two families as a sign of their heartfelt sorrow and deep respect. Additionally, a memorial fund has been established to build an appropriate memorial to honor Ms. Shim Mi-Son and Ms. Shin Hyo-Sun and to further assist the families.

Media reports have also suggested that the soldiers involved in the accident were initially cavalier and unconcerned. One television station reported the soldiers were involved in a fistfight with KATUSA soldiers who were offended by the attitude of the two USFK soldiers. Those reports are absolutely false, and we are incensed that media would make such an inflammatory claim without determining the truth. The two U.S. soldiers involved are deeply remorseful. The driver of the vehicle was so distraught about the accident that he was in tears and could not walk without assistance. He was completely inconsolable. This tragedy has greatly affected him and the soldier who was in the vehicle with him at the time of the accident. The soldiers respect Korea and her citizens.

USFK pledged to vigorously investigate this accident and that is exactly what has happened. Several investigations have occurred to include a thorough joint investigation by a team composed of the ROK and U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Divisions. The evidence gathered during the investigative process resulted in charges of negligent homicide against the vehicle commander and the driver involved in the accident. The investigations also resulted in a number of corrective measures to prevent future accidents.

USFK is also fully cooperating with the Ministry of Justice and providing the ministry access to our installations and personnel. Another misperception created by media reports concerns the issue of jurisdiction over the two U.S. soldiers that were charged with negligent homicide. The issue of jurisdiction has been presented in many media reports as an example of an inequity in the SOFA. That impression is wrong. The tradition of the military retaining jurisdiction in cases involving soldiers carrying out their official duties is not unique to the U.S. military. The ROK military has exclusive jurisdiction over its own soldiers from Article 2 of the Korean Military Court Act. If a Korean soldier commits any type of crime, whether on duty or off duty, he or she is never tried in a civilian court. Also, the ROK military would retain jurisdiction if a Korean soldier committed a crime or was involved in a similar accident in a foreign country such as during a peacekeeping operation. Additionally, punishments resulting from a military court are often more harsh than punishments resulting from civilian court systems.

USFK is not trying to minimize this tragedy in any way. Nor are we trying to blame media reports for what has happened. It is important that the Korean people understand that their USFK neighbors are deeply sorry for this accident, and that we accept full responsibility. It is also important that inaccurate statements reported in the media not inflame the understandable emotions and sorrow over this tragedy. As partners and allies who have stood by each other in trust and friendship with shared values, common goals, and a common defense for more than 50 years, we grieve together as a community over the loss of Ms. Shim Mi-son and Ms. Shin Hyo-Sun.