presidential office-US soldier crimes
     

SEOUL, March 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has asked the United States to take strong measures in response to a string of recent crimes involving U.S. soldiers stationed in the Asian country, a presidential official said Monday.

Amid a growing number of crimes involving American soldiers, the allies have started to study the cause, the official responsible for foreign policy and security affairs told Yonhap News Agency on condition of anonymity.

"After consultations with the U.S., we plan to come up with stronger measures," the official said.

On Sunday, Cheong Wa Dae's foreign policy and security affairs office called in a foreign ministry official handling relations with the U.S. and asked that the ministry demand stronger preventative measures from U.S. Forces Korea and the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, according to the presidential official.

"The United States takes this matter seriously and I believe will take stronger internal measures," the official said.

Several American soldiers have been arrested this month in separate cases.

Last week, a group of American soldiers were arrested on charges of firing a BB gun into a crowded nightlife district in Seoul, which led to a high-speed car chase with police.

Two other soldiers were arrested on Sunday after hitting a police officer in the face and pushing another officer down the stairs in separate cases that both took place near Seoul's Hongik University.

Faced with a series of crimes involving servicemen, the 8th U.S. Army vowed to step up crime prevention efforts and impose tougher disciplinary actions for soldier misconduct.

"Eighth Army absolutely does not condone and will not tolerate misconduct. Pending the outcome (of investigations), any soldier convicted of a crime will be considered for additional command action, to include separation from the United States Army," it said in a statement.

Under the strengthened measures that took effect, about 10,000 soldiers under the 2nd Infantry Division will be banned from drinking alcohol and receiving extended weekend passes. They will also be required to go through personal conduct training and leadership seminars to better abide by laws and regulations. Those who do not meet conduct standards will face tougher identification screening, it said.

"Our soldiers are subject to Korean law and we continue to work in complete cooperation with the Korea National Police and Republic of Korea Ministry of Justice to ensure those laws are respected," Maj. Gen. Edward Cardon, commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division, said in a statement, referring to South Korea's official name.

About 28,500 American soldiers are stationed in South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War that ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.