Monday, October 17, 2011

Koreans Rise Up Against Rape

"Rape in S. Korea prompts US apology" October 08, 2011|By NEW YORK TIMES

SEOUL - A senior US diplomat apologized yesterday after authorities accused a US serviceman of raping an 18-year-old South Korean woman, and the US military imposed a monthlong curfew on its troops in South Korea.

The apology by Kurt M. Campbell, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, and the curfew reflected Washington’s sensitivity over crimes involving US soldiers, which have set off protests here....   

And then they joined the worldwide Wall Street protests.

Campbell was here to discuss preparations for the planned meeting between President Obama and his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung-bak, this month in Washington. But he said he also wanted to underscore Washington’s concern about the rape case....

Please don't ask us to take our troops out.

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"Two US soldiers accused of rape in South Korea" October 09, 2011|Associated Press

SEOUL - Two US soldiers have been accused of raping teenage girls in South Korea in separate incidents, prompting US military officials to apologize yesterday as they tried to ease growing public anger.... 

The alleged assaults have prompted small protests near the US Embassy in Seoul, while the Internet has been abuzz with Koreans expressing anger. Yesterday, a minor labor party called for restricting the movement of US soldiers outside their bases.

The United States has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea, a legacy of the Korean War.... 

Time for the legacy to come to an end.

US officials are wary of anti-American sentiment that could be rekindled in countries where their troops are stationed. In 2002, the acquittals of two US soldiers whose armored vehicle killed two South Korean schoolgirls prompted nationwide protests against the US military presence in the country.

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