SEOUL — South Korean police say they will charge a U.S. soldier in connection with a weekend incident in which they claim he attacked local police and a Korean Augmentee to the U.S. Army.
Detective Kim Young-dae said Spc. Jeffrey Allen Hayden will be charged with assault and obstructing the execution of official duties in connection with Sunday’s late-night incident.
Hayden, with the 2nd Infantry Division, was questioned Wednesday at the Yongsan-gu police station, according to Kim. The soldier told investigators that he doesn’t remember the incident, Kim said.
Kim told Stars and Stripes that Hayden was arguing with the staff at the Goldfish Bar about how much he would pay for two beers he drank when a bar patron went outside and asked local police and KATUSA personnel for assistance.
Hayden refused to show them his identification and bit and kicked the personnel during the ensuing altercation. He was arrested Sunday and turned over to U.S. officials early Monday morning.
Kim said the case would be sent to the Seoul District Prosecutor’s Office late next week.
U.S. Army officials said International Law Division personnel are monitoring the case and South Korean officials have jurisdiction.
Any Uniform Code of Military Justice action is on hold pending the resolution of the South Korean process, according to 8th Army officials.
