Drunk U.S. Soldier Stabs Korean Citizen

A drunk U.S. soldier stabbed a South Korean citizen while making a disturbance on a Seoul street.

Five U.S. soldiers, including a private identified as C (21), and one Korean soldier working at a U.S. camp in Pyongtaek, obstructed traffic by lying on the street and taking pictures from a taxi in an episode of violence on a street in Sinchon, Seoul, at around 2 a.m. The disturbance lasted for approximately 10 minutes.

A private, identified as C (21), allegedly threatened citizens with a knife in the process. He then stabbed Mr. Park (27) in the throat, say officials.

C (21) ran away with the others and was caught by members of the public and taken into police custody. During this incident, they were pushed by angry citizens.

The victim, Mr. Park, was taken to the emergency room in nearby Severance hospital for medical treatment and underwent a surgical operation. He is out of danger, say officials.

Seoul Seodaemun police station investigated the solders and transferred them, including C, to the Eighth U.S. Army. C is scheduled to appear at the police station again on May 20.

According to officials, C denied the stabbing charge and said, “I couldn’t remember stabbing somebody. I just covered my face with my hands at that time.”

Jin-Kyun Kil leon@donga.com