The U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. James Thurman on Sunday apologized for his soldiers’ use of handcuffs on Korean civilians last week that stoked a public furor over their excessive use of force.

U.S. military police on duty handcuffed a 35-year-old person, surnamed Yang and two other Koreans on Thursday after arguing over parking issues and tried to haul them onto base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province.

“I am very sorry this occurred. I want to express my sincere apology to the individuals and community affected by the incident,” USFK Commander Gen. James Thurman said in a statement. 

“I have directed a thorough investigation. The individuals involved have been suspended from their duties pending the outcome of the investigation.”

The Foreign Ministry said that Lee Baek-soon, director-general of its North American Affairs Bureau, summoned USFK Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas to lodge a complaint over the incident.

The two co-head a joint committee for the Korea-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, which governs the legal status of some 28,500 troops stationed here.

Korean authorities said that seven soldiers ran afoul of domestic law, three of whom appeared at a station in Pyeongtaek on Saturday. During the questioning, they said they had followed a manual, as the Koreans did not comply with parking instructions, and the scuffle escalated.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)