Political Incidents
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News Release United Nations Command Release No. 021102 November 19, 2002 U.S. Leaders Emphasize Openness SEOUL, Republic of Korea (USFK) Nov. 19, 2002-U.S. Ambassador Thomas Hubbard and USFK Commander Gen. Leon J. LaPorte said yesterday the courts-martial for the two soldiers charged with negligent homicide in the June 13 deaths of two teenage girls will provide the Korean public an extraordinary opportunity to look at the American military judicial process. The court-martial for Sgt. Fernando Nino began yesterday. The court-martial for Sgt. Mark Walker is expected to begin Thursday. Both are being tried at Camp Casey. "We apologize for this tragic accident," said Hubbard. "Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Shim and Shin families as these trials take place." "It is important to show the Korean people how our military judicial system works, so we have done our best to invite appropriate Korean representatives to attend the trials," explained Hubbard. "If the Korean public can see how fair and impartial our trials are, they may gain confidence in the judicial process that is taking place." More than 30 media representatives will observe the trials for Nino and Walker from either the courtroom or an observation room equipped with closed circuit television. Korean government officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and representatives from non-governmental organizations will also attend the trials. General LaPorte expressed remorse over the tragedy and emphasized the extra effort put into making the trial as open to the Korean people as possible. Hubbard and LaPorte both noted that a series of senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Colin Powell, had expressed apologies over the tragic deaths of the two girls. "I once again want to apologize for this tragic accident that has affected everyone so deeply," said LaPorte. "As we proceed with the judicial proceedings, we have taken measures to ensure this is an open process. The courtroom was too small to accommodate the many people who expressed an interest in attending, so closed circuit televisions were placed in nearby rooms so more media and other interested parties could observe the trial," the general said. "It's vitally important that the Korean people realize we are conducting fair and open trials that consider all the evidence in the cases involving the two soldiers." The Shim and Shin families were invited to attend the trials. Out of respect for their privacy and to assist them in understanding the proceedings, the family members will be provided an opportunity to view the trial from a separate room with an interpreter and military lawyer present to explain the trial proceedings. |