Parties urge turning over U.S. soldiers

Representatives from Korea's two main political parties again called for the United States Forces Korea to give up jurisdiction over two American soldiers who were in charge of an army vehicle that accidentally struck and killed two South Korean girls in June.

The U.S. forces rejected on Wednesday a request by the justice minister to waiver jurisdiction in this case.

"The U.S. forces should consider giving up jurisdiction, taking into account the friendship between the two countries," said opposition Grand National Party spokesman, Nam Kyung-pil, calling for a thorough reinvestigation.

The chairman of the Millennium Democratic Party, Hahn Hwa-kap, urged the U.S. forces to do the same.

"The friendship between Korea and the United States can be maintained, only if the self-respect of Koreans is satisfied and the cooperation between the two countries can be maintained, Mr. Hahn said at the party executive meeting. He added that he is pro-American and believes that U.S. forces should remain in Korea even after the two Koreas reunify.

by Kim Jung-ha