US Army worker questioned for hit-and-run case

Police are investigating a hit-and-run case involving a civilian employee of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).

The suspect, whose identity was withheld, drove away in his Chevrolet Corvette after hitting a Korean police officer who was conducting a check for drunk drivers on a road near Itaewon Station, Sunday night, according to Yongsan Police Station, Monday.


He is a U.S. citizen who works at the U.S. 8th Army base in Yongsan, police said.

"We issued a summons to him and he voluntarily appeared at the police station at noon for questioning," an officer said. "He told police that he didn't drink alcohol that night, and doesn't remember anything about the incident."

He drove past the police officer, surnamed Seo, without stopping for a breathalyzer test. Seo tried to stop the car, but was struck by the vehicle as the driver fled, police said.

Seo was immediately taken to a nearby hospital. He suffered minor injuries to his arms and legs, police said.

"Fortunately, he was able to leave the hospital after getting a checkup," the officer said. "We found that the car belongs to an American working at the U.S. base, and told the 8th Army about this case."

However, whether the driver will be punished for his actions or not is a different matter because of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between Korea and the United States.

Under the accord, the U.S. military has authority over employees suspected of committing crimes, if they occur while on duty. Even if the crimes occur while off duty, Korean law enforcers need a U.S. representative to be present during questioning.

The U.S. military will also confirm whether its employees were on duty or not.

In most cases, American personnel arrested for crimes in Korea are handed over to U.S. military law enforcement unless the suspect is accused of committing a serious crime such as murder, or is caught in the act of committing a crime.

"It is still possible to punish employees of the U.S. military for their crimes. But it's not easy as with Korean criminals," a police officer said. "Some have been prosecuted and stood trial here."

The U.S. 8th Army issued a statement to apologize for the incident.

"We take this incident very seriously and are deeply sorry the alleged actions of this driver caused injury to a Korean police officer," the statement said. "We will continue to work with the Korean police as they conduct their investigation in accordance with SOFA."

Last month, a U.S. soldier was arrested on charges of stealing a Korean woman's purse. The unnamed private first class allegedly took her purse at a nightclub near Hongik University in western Seoul.

Police arrested the soldier two days later. But they eventually transferred custody of him to U.S. authorities under the SOFA.

The U.S. retains a 28,500-strong military presence in Korea.