Sergeant Fernando Nino was found not guilty of negligent homicide of the accident that killed two Korean middle school students. Although we had not expected much, we had hoped that the US martial court might reach a verdict that showed a little understanding of Korean sentiment. That hope turned out to be misplaced.

We cannot say anything to console the souls of the two who died young. It is now certain that there is nothing that Koreans or the Korean government can do in case of future accidents of similar nature.

Considering the sensitivity of the case, we had hoped for a verdict reached in good faith. Countless civic groups were loudly voicing animosity, while the majority of Koreans were waiting quietly for the ruling of the American court martial. However, with this verdict, there is nothing to say to civic groups for a composed attitude.

The rationalization of fair judicial process that the American soldiers are asserting is a 'legalism' only of their own. This situation forecasts strains not only between Koreans and American soldiers but also between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America. Americans had acknowledged the seriousness of the conditions by the presentation of an official apology by the USFK Commander General, appearance of the two American soldiers to the Korean Public Prosecutor's Office, and allowance of limited coverage of the court-martial. From the acquittal, it seems that these measures were just for show.

And as a result, Koreans will again have to request an amendment of the unfair clauses of SOFA. It is hard to predict how Koreans will express their animosity if the U.S. government, as before, passively responds to this request. We emphasize that this is a problem that will become more serious if left alone.

A bond that requires the patience of just one side cannot be strong. The United States should realize that mutual patience and mutual yielding are essential to the interests of both sides.

November 22, 2002