USFK Civilians Fall Under SOFA

Just in case there was any doubt:

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a lower court ruling that civilian employees of the U.S. Forces Korea fall under South Korea’s criminal jurisdiction in peacetime. This is stipulated in the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) concerning the USFK, but it is the first time that the Supreme Court has issued a ruling on the matter.

The court on Monday upheld W5 million (US$5,000) in fines levied against a U.S. troop supply worker (49) who was brought to trial on charges of causing a traffic accident while driving a cargo vehicle.

The court said in its ruling, “In accordance with section 22 article 1 of SOFA as well as annals of agreements reached, the Republic of Korea has jurisdiction in times of peace on the peninsula to prosecute criminal trials against civilian employees of the USFK. “

I didn’t even realize there was a gray area here, but obviously there isn’t anymore.