Tag: USFK

Camp Walker became the first location in Korea to establish a monument in honor of Korean War Medal of Honor recipient Captain Emil Kapaun:

A chaplain who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for refusing to abandon troops during combat finally has been recognized with a monument in the country where he died more than six decades ago.

The dark gray granite stone, erected by U.S. Army Garrison Daegu in front of the Camp Walker chapel, includes an image of Capt. Emil Kapaun supporting an injured soldier and the inscription, “He paid the ultimate sacrifice and consecrated the soul of Korea.” The monument, about four feet tall, was unveiled Dec. 19.

It’s the first memorial on the Korean peninsula for Kapaun, who died in a prisoner of war camp in May 1951 after being captured at Unsan the previous November. Although U.S. forces were surrounded and ordered to evacuate, the Roman Catholic priest stayed behind to comfort the wounded, despite the certainty of capture, and made rounds even as hand-to-hand combat broke out between U.S. and Chinese troops.

“We need inspiration and motivation to continue to serve the country,” deputy garrison chaplain Maj. Moon Kim said of Kapaun’s legacy. “People get easily discouraged or demotivated. But we see those forefathers who have gone before us and died, and they inspire us.”

The chaplain, a native of Pilsen, Kan., was awarded the Medal of Honor in April 2013.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more at the link.

If these former prostitutes win this lawsuit it seems this would open up the flood gates for lawsuits against the government for all prostitutes that every worked in Korea since the government turned a blind eye to this activity for so long:

Attorneys for a group of former prostitutes who serviced U.S. troops decades ago argued Friday they should receive compensation because the South Korean government encouraged them to “work for their country.”

The 122 women are suing the government for $1.2 million and asking for an official apology and an investigation into a system of open prostitution that operated in the military camp towns surrounding U.S. bases for several decades after the Korean War. The women claim their human rights were violated. Their attorneys say documents show the national government, including a ministry overseeing health and social affairs, was directing local health centers to manage the women’s health care.

“The plaintiffs were not aware at the time that prostitution was illegal,” Ui Eun-jin, one of several attorneys for the women, said during the first hearing in the case. “They were being educated that this was work for their country and an act of patriotism.”

Ha Ju-hee, another attorney for the women, said the national government had designated specific areas for the women to practice prostitution, forced them to register with health clinics, get regular health checkups and then treatment if they were found to have sexually transmitted diseases.

“The state caused the plaintiffs pain, so the state has a duty to compensate them,” she said, adding that the national government also praised the women for earning U.S. dollars. South Korea was desperately poor after the Korean War, and American currency was seen as a way to build up its struggling economy.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more at the link, but the club system many of these women found themselves locked into all those years ago has been well documented in books such as this one.  Here is an example of the boards that were put up warning GIs back then of girls with STDs:

So it was pretty clear that the Korean government in cooperation with the US military back then regulated the prostitution industry outside of the US military bases.  With that said the prostitutes in the camptowns are just a tiny fraction of the total number of prostitutes in Korea over the years that the government also turned a blind eye to.  What is especially reprehensible about this is that many of these women were sold into the club system by their parents who were looking for money to support their families during Korea’s era of poverty before today’s economic miracle.  There is a lot of blame to go around in regards to all the prostitution in Korea, not just outside the US military bases.

I wonder if the juicy bar owners are the ones pushing the mayor to make these complaints because they are the ones currently losing big money due to USFK’s decision to ban servicemembers from giving money to juicy girls:

The mayor of a city near the North Korean border is seeking $2.7 billion from the South Korean government, claiming the delayed relocation of American troops from Dongducheon is hurting the local economy and redevelopment plans.

City officials say Mayor Oh Se-chang told Defense Minister Han Min-koo that if Dongducheon — home to camps Casey and Hovey — doesn’t see some show of support from the government by the end of the year, the city will consider holding a large demonstration and a nonbinding referendum on whether U.S. troops should remain there.

Approximately 5,900 soldiers are assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division in Area I, which extends from just north and east of Seoul up to the Demilitarized Zone.

“If U.S. troops want to stay in Dongducheon, they should be of help to the local economy or all of them should go away,” a city official said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity. He said troops should be spending more money at off-post Korean-owned businesses instead of shopping solely at post exchanges or other on-base facilities.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more at the link, but basically the mayor just wants to get paid off by the national government to keep quiet.  Also of interest in the article is that a spokesman said that Camp Casey is now scheduled to be handed back over to the local government in the 2020 timeframe.  I will believe that when I see it.

Here is the latest US military unit that will be rotating into South Korea:

The U.S. Army has approved the rotational deployment of the 2nd Squadron of the 6th Cavalry Regiment from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, to Korea’s Camp Humphreys in January 2015, the 8th Army said Friday.

“This regiment will deploy and conduct operations in support of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and 8th Army, enhancing the capabilities of USFK in support of the ROK-U.S. Alliance,” the statement said.

The 2-6th Cavalry Regiment is replacing the 6th Squadron of the 17th Cavalry Regiment, which is returning to Fort Wainwright, Alaska.  [Korea Times]

You can read more at the link.

Via a reader tip comes news that Yongsan Garrison will have some visitors looking to find evidence of oil leakage from Yongsan Garrision:

South Korea and the United States agreed Tuesday to allow local environmental experts to conduct a field study on a U.S. military base in central Seoul suspected of polluting groundwater and its nearby land.

The Yongsan Garrison is suspected of being the source of leaking oil that has polluted at least 12,000 square meters of land and more than 7 million liters of underground water since 2001 when the first oil spill was reported.

The agreement was reached at the latest Joint Committee meeting on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) aimed at discussing an array of issues governing the legal status of 28,500 U.S. soldiers stationed in South Korea, according to Seoul’s foreign ministry.

To address the suspected oil leakage, both sides formed a joint working group consisting of officials from Seoul’s environment ministry, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government in June last year.

“The two sides agreed to allow Korea’s environmental experts to visit the garrison in the near term for a field inspection into possible pollution sources,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. “They shared the view that the move will contribute to the fundamental resolution of the matter.”

Seoul has made repeated requests to the U.S. for its cooperation with the inspection of the garrison, which have been long ignored by the U.S. Under the SOFA, the South Korean government can investigate USFK bases only if permission is granted.  [Yonhap]

This inspection is really nothing unprecedented because when the camps in the 2nd Infantry Division closed out almost ten years ago the environmental ministry and NGO types visited those camps as well.  What is going on with Yongsan is that there has been oil found dripping in the subway lines, but no one has been able to confirm where it is coming from and the Korean government believes it is coming from Yongsan Garrison.

Anyway here is how the article ends with a topic that has absolutely nothing to do with the oil spill issue:

Concerning crimes committed by U.S. forces stationed here, South Korea asked the U.S. to tighten discipline among its soldiers at end-year, the ministry said.

Crimes committed by U.S. servicemen have declined, but sex and drug-related crimes rose between 2011 and 2013, the ministry added. In response, the U.S. said it will sternly deal with any kinds of sex crimes, vowing to cooperate with Seoul over crimes by U.S. soldiers.

South Korean authorities have often failed to take legal action against U.S. soldiers as the SOFA regulations allow the suspects to be handed over to U.S. authorities.

Having compiled these stats in the past I do not trust any GI crime statistics put out by Koreans which are often inflated.  With that said that I am sure that drug crimes have risen because of the crackdown the ROK has done on inspecting US mail.  There has been plenty of idiot soldiers caught in the past few years sending drugs through the mail.

Here are the November 2014 court martial results that were posted on the USFK website.

Results of Courts-Martial for November 2014

On 7 November 2014, at a General Court-Martial, SSG Randal C. Rucker, 65^th Medical Brigade, was convicted of one specification of maltreatment of a subordinate (UCMJ, Article 93), four specifications of abusive sexual contact (Article 120), and one specification of assault consummated by a battery (Article 128).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to be confined for 12 months, and to be discharged with a Dishonorable Discharge.

On 11 November 2014, at a Special Court-Martial PFC Brandon L. Hall, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, was found guilty of one specification of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon (UCMJ Article 128) and one specification of assault consummated by battery (Article 128).  He was sentenced to reduction to E-1, six months confinement, and to be discharged with a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 13 November 2014, at a General Court-Martial, SFC Gregory McClain, 210th Field Artillery Brigade was found guilty of one specification of failure to obey a general regulation (UCMJ, Article 92).  He was sentenced to reduction to the grade of Sergeant (E-5) and three months confinement.

On 19 November 2014, at a General Court-Martial, SGT Duane R. James, 65th Medical Brigade, was convicted of one specification of adultery (UCMJ, Article 134).  He was sentenced to a Bad-Conduct Discharge.

On 20 November 2014, at a General Court-Martial, CPT John G. Birdsong, 65th Medical Brigade, was found guilty of one specification of sexual assault (UCMJ, Article 120) and one specification of failing to obey a lawful general regulation (UCMJ, Article 92).  He was sentenced to confinement for 24 months and to be dismissed from the service.

On 24 November 2014, at a Summary Court-Martial, SFC Christopher L. Martinez, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, was found guilty of one specification of abusive sexual contact (UCMJ, Article 120) and one specification of failure to obey a lawful general order (Article 92).  He was sentenced to reduction to E-6 and forfeiture of two-thirds pay for one month.

Results of ROK Criminal Prosecutions for November 2014

In Seoul Central District Court on 7 November 2014, Airman Willie S. Ford, Jr., 51st CPTS, Osan Air Base, was convicted of Obstruction of Performance of Official Duties and Infliction of Bodily Injury.  His adjudged sentence was imprisonment for 6 months, suspended for 2 years.

In Suwon District Court on 20 November 2014, MSgt Reginald G. Burks, 51st AMXS, Osan Air Base, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Suwon District Court on 20 November 2014, MSgt David R. Sands, 607th SPTS/CSS, Osan Air Base, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,500,000 Won fine.

In Suwon District Court on 20 November 2014, SSgt David J. Torrey, 303d IS/DOA, Osan Air Base, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 2,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 21 November 2014, SSG Alan D. McNicholas, HHC, 2/9th Infantry, USAG Casey, was convicted of Assault.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 21 November 2014, SGT Crisoforo T. Trujillo, HHC,  2-2 Assault, USAG Yongsan, was convicted of Larceny and DUI.  His adjudged sentence was imprisonment for 6 months, suspended for 2 years.

In Suwon District Court on 26 November 2014, PFC Nico A. Pierce, 4-58th AOB, USAG Humphreys, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,500,000 Won fine.

In Suwon District Court on 26 November 2014, SFC Nathaniel J. Goza, A Co, 719th MI BN, USAG Humphreys, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 4,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 4 February 2014, SGT Walter L. Thomas, B Btry, 1/15th FA, USAG Casey, was convicted of Infliction of Bodily Injury, Assault and Destruction of Property.  His adjudged sentence was a 2,000,000 Won fine.  The Soldier demanded a formal trial but withdrew the request on 24 November 2014.

Here are the court martial results for October 2014 that were posted on the USFK website.

Results of Army Courts-Martial in Eighth US Army for October 2014

On 24 September 2014, at a Summary Court-Martial, MSG Phillip T. Whatley, 501^st Military Intelligence Brigade, was convicted of two specifications of violating a lawful general regulation/order (UCMJ Article 92), and one specification of engaging in drunk and disorderly conduct (Article 134).  He was sentenced to sixteen days of restriction and forfeiture of $3,178.47 in pay.

On 1 October 2014, at a Summary Court-Martial, Private (E-1) Jaleel Mcleod, 498th Combat Sustainment Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade, was convicted of one specification of Insubordinate Conduct toward an NCO (UCMJ Article 91), and one specification of Willful Damage of Military Property (Article 108).  He was sentenced to forfeiture of $500.00 pay for one month and to be confined for thirty days.

On 1 October 2014, at a Summary Court-Martial, Private First Class Kenneth S. Smith, 498th Combat Sustainment Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade, was convicted of one specification of Failure to go to Appointed Place of Duty, (UCMJ Article 86); one specification of Disrespect towards a Superior Commissioned Officer, (Article 89); two specifications of Insubordinate Conduct toward an NCO; and one specification of Failure to Obey a Lawful Order (Article 92).  He was sentenced to reduction to Private (E-1); Forfeiture of $1,021.00 for one month; and to be confined for thirty days.

On 6 October2014, at a General Courts-Martial, PV2 Luis A. Ruizperez, HSC, HHB, Eighth Army, was found guilty on one specification of Sexual Assault (UCMJ Article 120) and one specification of Adultery (Article 134).  He was sentenced to be reduced to E-1, to be confined for 3 years, and to receive a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 6 October 2014, at a Summary Court-Martial, Sergeant (E-5) Olarewaju O. Taiwo, 194th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 501st Sustainment Brigade, was convicted of two specifications of Failure to Obey a Lawful Order, (UCMJ Article 92); two specifications of False Official Statement (Article 107); four specifications of Abusive Sexual Contact (Article 120); and one specification of Adultery (Article 134).  He was sentenced to reduction to Specialist, to forfeiture of $1,923.00 pay for one month; and to restriction to the limits of Camp Stanley for one month.

On 20 October 2014, at a General Court-Martial, PFC David M. Tompkins, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, was found guilty of four specifications of aggravated assault (UCMJ Article 128), four specifications of assault consummated by battery (Article 128), and willfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer (Article 90).  He was sentenced to reduction to E-1, a Bad Conduct Discharge, and to be confined for 22 months.

On 23 October 2014, at a General Court-Martial, SGT Alan A. Galeana, 121 Combat Support Hospital, 65^th Medical Brigade, was found guilty on one specification of Violation of a Lawful Order (Fraternization, UCMJ Article 92) and two specifications of Assault Consummated by a Battery (Article 128).  He was sentenced to reduction to E-1, to be confined for 3 months, and to receive a Bad Conduct Discharge.

On 29 October, at a General Court-Martial, SPC Travis W. Cloke, 3-2 General Support Aviation Battalion, 2d Combat Aviation Brigade, 2d Infantry Division was found guilty of two specifications of Attempted Sexual Abuse of a Child, (UCMJ Article 80) Distributing Child Pornography (Article 134), and Possessing Child Pornography (Article 134).  He was sentenced to reduction to E-1, a Dishonorable Discharge, and to be confined for three years.

Results of ROK Criminal Prosecutions for October 2014

In Seoul Central District Court on 14 October 2014, MSG Mary A. Mitchell, HHC, 501st MI Brigade, USAG Yongsan, was convicted of DUI.  Her adjudged sentence was a 3,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 14 October 2014, SPC Anjaya J. Peters, F TAB, 3/33d TAB, 1/38th FA, USAG Casey, was convicted of traffic law violations.  His adjudged sentence was a 2,000,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 16 October 2014, SSG James W. Wright, Jr., E Btry, 6/52d ADA, USAG Casey, was convicted of Indecent Assault.  His adjudged sentence was a 2,000,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 16 October 2014, PFC Jesse J. Espinoza, B Btry, 1/15th FA, USAG Casey, was convicted of Assault upon a Driver in Motion.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,500,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 22 October 2014, SFC Zachary L. Chappell, A Co, HHBN, 2d Infantry Division, was convicted of Infliction of Bodily Injury.  His adjudged sentence was a 3,000,000 Won fine.

In Daegu District Court on 22 October 2014, SSG William C. Bradburry, a member of 19th SFG, Fort Carson (in Korea for UFG), was convicted of Infliction of Bodily Injury.  His adjudged sentence was a 5,000,000 Won fine.

In Seoul Central District Court on 29 October 2014, CW3 Juan B. Sablan, D Co, 2-2 Assault, 2d Infantry Division, was convicted of traffic law violations.  His adjudged sentence was a 200,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 29 October 2014, MSG Scott R. Fuller, HSC, HHBN, 2d Infantry Division, was convicted of Forgery of Private Document, Uttering the Forged Private Document and Obstruction of Performance of Official Duties by Fraudulent Means.  His adjudged sentence was imprisonment for 8 months, not suspended.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 30 October 2014, PFC Richard R. Davis, HHD, 23d CBRNE Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, was convicted of Assault.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

In Uijeongbu District Court on 30 October 2014, MAJ John S. Kasper, B Co, HHBN, 2d Infantry Division, was convicted of DUI.  His adjudged sentence was a 1,000,000 Won fine.

Unsurprisingly the Korean bar owners are unhappy with USFK’s decision to bar troops from buying drinks inside of bars for juicy girls:

A month-old U.S. Forces Korea policy banning servicemembers from buying drinks for “juicy bar” workers in exchange for companionship has angered some bar owners, who say it unfairly labels them as “pimps” and is hurting other establishments that cater to troops.

“It’s nonsensical to treat us as if we are whorehouses,” said Yi Hun-hui, owner of the Cadillac Club near Camp Humphreys. Now, he said, some local bar owners are talking about going into a different line of work because they’re angry at the military. “These were people who liked USFK. They were people who supported USFK, and now they’re embarrassed.”  (………..)

The organization’s Pyeongtaek branch already has asked for support from the city mayor and National Assembly members. It is collecting signatures on a petition from businesses, local citizens and civic groups throughout the city, he said. That petition will be sent to U.S. military officials on the peninsula later this month.

Yi, who employs seven Filipina women, said he ordered his female workers to wear jeans and T-shirts instead of skirts and low-cut tops after the Oct. 15 policy letter was issued.

“I did this so USFK would stop its narrow-minded view that our female employees are hookers,” he said.

It was unclear how or whether the new policy was affecting business for other bar owners. Five claimed the policy change was driving down sales for others, though all of those interviewed denied that their own bars had been hurt by the ban.

Lee Deok Bum, said business hasn’t dropped in recent weeks at Sportsman, his 15-year-old bar in Dongducheon, which employees five Filipina women, but he said he and other bar owners in the city are angry about the new USFK rule. He accused the U.S. military of judging South Korean bars by American cultural standards, not by what is acceptable in Korea.

Some bar owners have complained the new policy is unclear and appears to ban servicemembers from buying drinks for anyone, even friends. The policy letter, however, bans only buying drinks and other items for an “employee’s company or companionship, inside or outside a bar or establishment.”

An official at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said the ministry has received no complaints about the new policy from bar owners. The ministry began inspecting businesses that hire foreign entertainers, including some outside U.S. military bases, earlier this year in an effort to reduce human trafficking.

Seo In Ho, owner of Xanadu bar outside Osan Air Base, said most bar owners have interpreted the new policy to mean their USFK clientele can’t buy drinks — even water — for anyone else. One of his friends, a male servicemember, now tells Seo that he can’t even buy the bar owner a drink, and Seo said the ban on buying drinks for companionship is discouraging troops from going to bars at all.

He said all bar owners are being treated as if they are running brothels, and some women who work at bars are quitting because they feel like they’re being treated as prostitutes.

“Our self-respect has been hurt,” he said. [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more at the link, for the bar owner complaining about USFK using American cultural standards to judge the bars, he is absolutely right.  However, USFK has to worry about what is going on back in the US and what Koreans find acceptable is irrelevant when the US military is being routinely criticized by special interest groups.  That is what likely drove the change in policy for USFK since the special interests were gearing up to go after them over the juicy girl issue.

Also I find it hard to feel sorry for these shady juicy bar owners who have been ripping off GIs for years with the juicy girl business model and over priced drinks. With that said I still think USFK should have at least given these bar owners a carrot by making the new policy stipulate that bars that employ third country nationals would be put off limits due to human trafficking concerns.  This would leave the bar owners with the option of employing Korean women which would be much more difficult for USFK to be accused of supporting human trafficking with.  I am surprised though that these bar owners have not come up with workarounds to this policy yet instead of complaining to the Stars & Stripes.

More of the same:

SEOUL, South Korea — The 2nd Infantry Division is asking bar owners for help in reducing troop misbehavior after several incidents sparked negative publicity and calls from local officials for the U.S. military to rein in soldier conduct.

Maj. Gen. Thomas Vandal, 2ID commander, said Army officials met with about 20 owners of bars in the “Ville” outside Camps Casey and Hovey several weeks ago. Citing excessive alcohol usage as the main contributor to misconduct, the division wants bartenders to call military police when they believe a soldier’s drinking is getting out of hand.

“We asked them to help us with this campaign for responsible drinking that really gets at causing our soldiers to stop, pause and reflect before they have that extra drink, before we see it affects their judgment,” Vandal told Stars and Stripes. “They understand the intent. They were very positive, quite frankly,” he said, adding that soldiers getting in trouble is bad for a bar’s business and can lead to being put off-limits to troops. (Stars and Stripes)

You can read more at the link, but does anyone think this will make a difference.

Via a reader tip comes news that the Korean left is trying to re-stoke this old issue to bash USFK with:

The city estimated that polluted water near the Yongsan Garrison and Camp Kim came to 1,870 tons and 100 tons, respectively.

City officials noted that benzene, toluene and xylene among other chemicals were found in the underground water system.

Despite the capital pumping nearly 2,000 tons of contaminated water since 2001, pollutants were found to have remained in drainage water from the bases.

The discovery of pollutants is increasing concerns about waste disposal at U.S. bases, already heightened by concerns of possible Agent Orange contamination at camps in Korea.

Officials reiterated the urgency of preventing pollutants from entering the Hangang River. (Korea Herald)

You can read more at the link but the so called environmentalists are also bashing camps that are no longer even being turned over like Camp Casey and Camp Hovey. First of all there is going to be pollution on camps that are decades old and housed military equipment. This is not news. Secondly these studies in the past have been sensationalized by including lead contamination from rifle ranges and oil from new asphalt as pollution. They even claimed that people had to wear decontamination suits to go on Camp Kyle which I proved was false.

A lot of this issue comes down money.
When the base handover agreements were completed by the Roh Moo-Hyun government, they agreed to take the land including all buildings and infrastructure at no cost. Further cleanup efforts beyond what the United States already has done is supposed to be handled by the ROK. So on this issue the left gets to bash USFK again while the government can use this issue to get more money from the U.S. To pay for base clean up.