I have been getting e-mails from readers about this and it has now been reported in Stars & Stripes:
South Korean police said Thursday their efforts to investigate the purported rape of a teenager outside Osan Air Base late last month are being stymied because the girl’s family is uncooperative.
Police said the girl’s mother reported on Aug. 29 that her daughter was attacked about 3 p.m. in the bar and shopping district outside Osan.
The girl is the daughter of an American employee at Camp Humphreys, authorities said.
But a South Korean investigator told Stars and Stripes on Thursday that the girl and her family have refused to speak with a female investigator or to otherwise give information to police in Pyeongtaek.
They said the mother on Friday first contacted agents of the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command at Camp Humphreys.
Army investigators in turn notified the Korean National Police, who are now leading the investigation. The Army agents are acting as a liaison between the police and the family, said Robert McElroy, spokesman for U.S. Army Garrison-Humphreys.
According to police, the mother gave conflicting information as to which spot in the shopping district the assault was said to have occurred.
The girl was seen at Osan’s base hospital and then released, McElroy said. He said he had no immediate information on whether the girl sustained physical injuries.
Meanwhile, women at Osan have been advised not to go off base alone until an arrest is made. [Stars & Stripes]
I recommend waiting until more information comes out on this but it is important to remember that this isn’t the first time that a female in USFK has been raped. Let’s hope that this rapist is actually caught and punished this time.
Popularity: 2%
12:34 pm on September 5th, 2008 1
After what has been done in previous cases, I wouldn’t have reported this. I would find those responsible and impart justice myself. If not, this would just be another sad story.
12:51 am on September 6th, 2008 2
Why is there no description? Since race, etc was not mentioned, I’m assuming the perp to be Korean. We wouldn’t want to offend the Korean Rapist community.
4:58 am on September 6th, 2008 3
I am well aware of the large concentration of Korean men living in and around Songtan city. There are numerous Korean houses located there, which in my opinion cause nothing but problems for the foreigners of Songtan and do nothing for Korea except to continue to give my country a “black eye” by tarnishing the reputation of the respectful and civil Koreans living in Korea and elsewhere.
I like to consider myself as a reasonable person, so I will address the fact that I am well aware not all Korean men go around assaulting American girls late at night ? only a small number of people are guilty of this crime. What I don’t understand is how a Korean man can justify an action such as assaulting or raping a foreign girl and think that they are entitled to do so?
True, many, if not most of these incidents go unreported. And I am working hard to convince my girlfriend to go to the police about the incident. We all know that we will never find the guy who did this to her, but I also know that it’s the right thing to do.
Finally, I want to send a message to every Korean living in Korea. Be it a Taxi Driver, a businessman or a KATUSA, show some respect for your guests. Exercise some self-control for once in your life. American people are kind people by nature. Do not take advantage of this kindness.
Have you figured it out yet Hunter? Ya Bloody Douchebag.
2:17 pm on September 6th, 2008 4
It comes down to this…if you are the victim of a crime, have a complaint, or any other thing that YOU want to pursue, then you had better be willing to step up to the plate and sign your name to it.
I get so tired of people crying rape, filing “Un-signed” complaints and so on, then the powers to be putting credence in these allegations, even though the victim/complaintant in the incident remains Anonymous, or refuses to give evidence once they have cried Wolf.
3:08 pm on September 6th, 2008 5
^^
Once again, you have me ROTFL!!!
7:33 pm on September 6th, 2008 6
[...] alleged rape of a USFK dependent outside of Osan Airbase has just gotten stranger as the girl’s parents are refusing to cooperate with the [...]
7:13 am on September 8th, 2008 7
The date was the start of a 4 day holiday weekend and payday. That means a lot of people visiting from other base areas. At 3PM, there would have been a lot of people all over the main shopping area and the bar alleys.
The incidence would have had to happened well away from those areas or in a residence. Why would a teenage girl be roaming off on her own?
Almost all the Koreans in Songtan are not just supportive and helpful, but very protective of Americans. If a young girl gave any indication of distress, in midday, someone would have helped her.
If the family is giving conflicting information on where the attack actually happened, then you have to wonder.