By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
There has been a steady rise in sexual assaults and other crimes committed by U.S. soldiers here since last August when a relaxed curfew was put in effect, the top U.S. military commander in South Korea has warned.
In a ``Sharp Point'' message posted April 1 on the command's Web site, USFK Commander Gen. Walter L. Sharp said the number of ``sexual assaults, aggravated assaults, assaults and disorderly conduct" had increased over the last six months since the curfew was shortened by two hours beginning Aug. 15.
He cited a six-month review of the policy's impact on troop behavior.
Under the current curfew, soldiers are required to be on post from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and U.S.-observed holidays. The previous weekend curfew was 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
``This is unacceptable and we must act now to correct this trend,'' Sharp wrote, saying he might reinstate a tougher curfew policy unless the trend is corrected. He didn't cite specific data on the number of incidents.
The commander announced an earlier 10 p.m. curfew for April 24, and a four-hour ``Stand Down for Standards'' training session the following day on behavior issues.
Topics to be covered during the training session will include sexual-assault prevention and reporting, gangs in the military, the wingman/battle-buddy concept, prostitution, human trafficking and leadership responsibilities, said Sharp, who concurrently serves as chief of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command and United Nations Command.
``This action is not meant to punish any of our service members who are acting appropriately and doing the right thing,'' he said. ``This stand down is intended to correct a trend that is unacceptable and if not corrected could lead to a serious incident that would adversely impact you, your service and our alliance.''
About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed here as a deterrent against communist North Korea.
The two Koreas remain technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a permanent peace treaty.