By Lee Tae-hoon

The number of U.S. soldiers found guilty in Korean courts of committing crimes has jumped more than 2.5 times over the past five years, according to an analysis of court results posted on the website of the United States Forces Korea (USFK).

The analysis shows that only 48 U.S. servicemen were convicted in courts here in 2007, but the number soared to 66 in 2008 and 87 in 2009. The number of convictions even rose to 128 in 2010, up 68 percent compared to the previous year.

ROK Drop, a military weblog, which produced the statistics based on official announcements on the USFK website, suggests that the sudden increase in crimes in the past year may be attributed to the elimination of the curfew.

Army Gen. Walter L. Sharp, commander of USFK, scrapped the curfew policy, which required U.S. troops to be on post from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and U.S.-observed holidays in July last year.

"When looked at over time the indiscipline problem this past year is quite evident. So what is causing it?" the English-language blog asked. "The most obvious theory would be the elimination of the curfew last year."

However, USFK spokesman Kim Yong-kyu claims that the stiff increase may reflect Korean law enforcement authorities' determination to prosecute misbehaving U.S. troops in local courts.

"You should not jump to a conclusion that U.S. soldiers are committing twice more crimes than before, given that many of the crimes that could have been dealt by USFK court martial have been transferred to Korean authorities," he said.

Under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) signed between Seoul and Washington, U.S. courts have jurisdiction over crimes committed by American troops stationed in Korea. Seoul can request transfer of custody only for 12 serious crimes, including murder, rape, kidnapping, arson, robbery and driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).

Civic groups have often accused the USFK of letting "minor" crimes committed by its troops go unpunished by taking advantage of the SOFA agreement.

Of the 128 U.S. servicemen found guilty in Korean courts last year, 28 were charged for DUI, 24 for assault, 14 for thefts, nine for burglary and one for rape.

The number of DUI among U.S. servicemen increased from 11 in 2007 to 19 in 2009 and 28 in 2010.