The fundamental intention of the U.S., however, is to exert some control over the acquisition of power by countries such as China, Japan and Russia and to establish a strong foothold in the East Asian economic bloc. Consequently, it is clear that the U.S. Army has been stationed in South Korea for the benefit of the U.S. rather than that of our native people. Under the unjust SOFA, Korean human rights have been repeatedly disregarded by U.S. soldiers. Considerable tracts of private property and public lands in Dongduchun city and in central Seoul are now being used as U.S. military camps. Furthermore, the citizens living near the bases have been annoyed by noise and pollution without receiving any reparation for such damage to their quality of life.
Crime is another problem connected with the troops' presence.
The rate of crime has been estimated at over ten infractions per day by U.S. army soldiers. In 1997, a student of Hong Ik University, Cho Joong-pil, was killed by the son of an 8th Army soldier at a cafe near a U.S. Army camp. As regards the U.S. soldiers stationed in our country, it would seem that we Koreans are not safe from U.S. military-related crimes. To prevent the continuance of these problems, the unfair SOFA should be revised and made into a rational agreement for both nations. As this semester progresses, these troubles have been increasing.