SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has lodged a protest over an abrupt raid on its base in Pyeongtaek in July.
In a letter sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier this month, Lt. Gen. David Iverson, deputy commander of the USFK, expressed concerns over the July 21 raid of Osan Military Base by independent prosecutors investigating disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle late last year.
Washington took issue with the raid, saying it violated procedures under the bilateral Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which stipulates the legal status, rights, and obligations of U.S. military personnel stationed here.
Although the raid was conducted in areas under South Korean military control only, those zones still had to be accessed through U.S.-controlled areas, reportedly requiring prior consultation.
When asked about the development, the ministry declined to comment, deeming it "inappropriate" due to diplomatic protocol.
Meanwhile, Park Ji-young, a spokesperson for the independent prosecutors, reiterated at a briefing that there was no violation of the SOFA.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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