US soldier given four years for raping elderly Korean

[rainbow4321]

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=44214

A South Korean judge on Friday sentenced a U.S. soldier to four years in prison for raping, sodomizing and beating a 66-year-old South Korean woman on Jan. 14.

Lee explained to Ramirez that he was held to the same standards South Koreans face in the local legal system and that he was not discriminated against because he’s a U.S. soldier.

Lee said the court also took into consideration that the soldier is only 23 years old, had no history of criminal activity, had almost finished his full yearlong tour in South Korea, and that it appeared to have been an “impulse” crime, not a pre-planned attack. Ramirez has seven days to appeal the sentence, which will be reduced by the 54 days he’s spent in pre-trial confinement.

Jin said Ramirez still has been unable to make any financial settlement with the woman or her family, a common practice in the South Korean legal system. The soldier is going to put the money into a bank account for the woman, Jin said, which should help in the push for a shortened jail sentence during the appeal process. Jin was unable to say how much of a settlement Ramirez would pay.

[lebkuchen]

1. I remember when the Okinawan rape was a big deal, for years

Crimes committed by soldiers these days are becoming more and more commonplace and are frequently reported in Stripes. Lower the standards, and you get a lower caliber military. Pretty predictable.

[rainbow4321]

2. Somewhat related LTTE in Stars/Stripes

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=44157

Serving in S. Korea has pitfalls

I read the complaints of lower enlisted soldiers regarding new policies on drinking, curfew and barracks visitation , and I completely understand their anger and frustration. But then again, I sympathize with the commander left to answer to devastated families about a beating, rape or death. So what is really the problem here in South Korea? I want to point out three areas of concern:

First and most obvious is South Korea’s reputation for being a “party” permanent change of station. Being involved in the Army for more than 12 years, I have heard plenty about the “good life” in South Korea: heavy drinking every weekend, a girlfriend on the side, making extra money, and to escape Iraq. And the best part is the rule that “what happens in Korea, stays in Korea." Are soldiers being encouraged to act badly, just not get caught in the act? It feels like soldiers are being set up to fail before they even get here.

Second, there is the fact that South Korea is still a hardship duty location, which implies stricter policies. Soldiers get that extra pay because it is restrictive on the soldier and a difficult life. That’s why Korea is only a yearlong tour — unless you choose to extend. That a commander had policies more lenient before doesn’t make leniency the rule; it makes it a privilege that has unfortunately been revoked. Hopefully the true issues are addressed and the privileges can return.
Finally, where are the noncommissioned officers? Their silence on this issue is deafening. Maybe these new policies are in place for the same reason?

It seems worth asking if the floor sergeants, barracks sergeants and squad leaders are policing their troops? Or are the NCOs out living the previously mentioned “good life” with the very people who look to them to set an example? Taking care of issues at the lowest possible level doesn’t begin with the commander. It begins with the peers, the battle buddy, the squad leader and the platoon sergeant — that’s a lot of people to disregard before reaching the attention of the commander.

[Nikki Stone1]

4. No "hardship duty" explains raping a 66 year old woman

What the F*CK is going on in our military?

[lligrd]

3. A 23 Year Old Soldier IMPULSIVELY Raped, Sodomized And Beat

a 66 year old woman? The judge should have said "repulsive crime"!