The Chief of the United States Forces in Korea (USFK) says the recently concluded court martial of two soldiers acquitted of negligent homicide was fair and impartial.

In a fact sheet released to the local press, General Leon J. LaPorte said it is vitally important that the Korean people realize that the U.S. military judicial system is fair and impartial.

The U.S. commander claimed that the differences between the U.S. and Korean legal systems, resulted in questions that must be addressed in order for the Korean people to gain confidence in the judicial process.

He said, however, that the USFK takes responsibility for the accident and has paid compensation to the families of the two girls.

This is the first time that a U.S. commander-in-chief has delivered an official statement about a U.S. military trial in Korea.