In recent interviews, the veteran said he had orders to shoot the refugees because some of them were suspected of being North Korean infiltrators disguised as civilians. But Mr. Daily says he did not begin shooting until he saw gunfire coming from among the refugees. Mr. Chung says U-S soldiers had thoroughly searched the refugees before they reached the bridge, confiscating even small kitchen knives. He says the refugees were innocent victims who trusted the Americans to lead them out of danger. Instead, they died because the Americans did not trust them.
Korean survivors say there is more to the story than what has been reported by American media.
They claim U-S atrocities against the refugees actually began the day before the alleged bridge massacre. The U-S Army was retreating south as North Korea's communists advanced deep into the peninsula and heavy fighting had broken out in the area. Mr. Chung says the refugees had been walking above a steep embankment parallel to the railroad tracks. He says U-S soldiers suddenly ordered them to run down to the bottom of the embankment. When some began lagging behind, Mr. Chung says an American soldier next to him shot and killed three young children as a warning to others of what the penalty would be for moving too slowly.