The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Monday called on the U.S. Embassy in Seoul and U.S. Forces Korea to extend cooperation in its bid to conduct an investigation into an alleged sexual offense involving three U.S. soldiers.
The Yongin Police apprehended the U.S. troops Saturday for their alleged involvement in the sexual harassment of a female staffer and fighting with other male employees of a water theme park. Police said the soldiers from the 210th Field Artillery Brigade, were apparently under the influence of alcohol.
"We asked the U.S. Embassy and the secretariat of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Sunday to closely cooperate in the local police's investigation into the case," a ministry official said.
The SOFA governs the legal status of around 28,500 U.S. soldiers stationed here, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War.
Col. Michael J. Lawson, commander of the brigade, said in a statement that he will provide full cooperation with Korean police and that appropriate action will follow.
The Yongin Police apprehended the U.S. troops Saturday for their alleged involvement in the sexual harassment of a female staffer and fighting with other male employees of a water theme park. Police said the soldiers from the 210th Field Artillery Brigade, were apparently under the influence of alcohol.
"We asked the U.S. Embassy and the secretariat of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Sunday to closely cooperate in the local police's investigation into the case," a ministry official said.
The SOFA governs the legal status of around 28,500 U.S. soldiers stationed here, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War.
Col. Michael J. Lawson, commander of the brigade, said in a statement that he will provide full cooperation with Korean police and that appropriate action will follow.
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