US State Department Express Regret over Deaths of Two Schoolgirls

US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher expressed regret Dec. 9 over the deaths of two Korean schoolgirls run over by a US armored vehicle in June, which had sparked off anti-American sentiment in Korea.

Asked whether the Department is worrying about anti-Americanism in Korea at a daily press briefing, the spokesman answered, "We are aware of the situation in Korea. We deeply regret the deaths of two schoolgirls a little while ago."

Then he continued, "George W. Bush expressed his sorrow and regret over the case and made sure that the US would work close with the South Korean government to prevent a similar case from occurring in the future. Currently the US Embassy in Seoul and US forces in Korea are in close cooperation with the Korean government to prevent reoccurrence of such an incident."

He also thanked the Korean government and police for their efforts to ensure the security of American citizens and US forces in South Korea. And he said that the embassy in Korea is in normal operation.

He explained, "We are there for the defense of the South Korean people. We work closely with the Korean government on the incident in the best possible manner and with the least disruption to normal life."

Back on Nov. 27 US President George W. Bush made an apology through Ambassador to Seoul Thomas Hubbard, and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld also expressed regret in person at the ROK-US security consultative meeting held on Dec. 5 in Washington.

Ki-Heung Han eligius@donga.com