Correct me if I'm wrong but did this place get put off limits because ONE 2ND ID soldier came there and raped a Korean lady in her 60's???? One guy makes a mistake and everyone suffers for him??? I wish I could have custody of this guy. He wouldn't be a happy camper. Will Hongdae ever be back on limits? What's the holdup? I go there during the day and always experience friendliness from the locals. It's the same at night. Why is it still off limits? Also, is General Bell hesitant about lifting the curfew? In 2001 there was no curfew and things were fine. What's the hold-up???

Don't get me started on this one... I totally agree that there is NO reason to keep it off limits, but I think I will refrain from saying any more on the subject! Do a search under my name on this topic and you will see a little bit of my feelings!

You're wrong. It was off limits a few years before this happened. One of the reasons this area is off limits is because the University near there has a lot of anti-American protests. Lots of GI's got into fights over there.

Dr. Worm,

I'm not wrong. After General Bell arrived in Korea it was around May 06 time frame that he put Hondae back on limits. It stayed on limits until that jackass raped the ajuma. Instead of making places off limits there should just be harsher punishments for individuals that cause problems in town.

Actually everyone may be right-perhaps the last trigger to put the area off limits was the unfortunate Ugly American Soldier who attacked an old lady- but the reason is presently FP (Force Protection). A lot of GI's have been involved in fights there, for years. Guess it doesn't really matter who starts it- the force evidently needs protection, and mass punishment still is an option for the military. Is it the best way? I doubt it. But it is expedient, and solves the problem, until a better solution is found. I'm sure USFK is open to all suggestions.

see attached for the latest off limits areas and their reasons:
(look on the right side under USFK for the Off Limits Areas):
http://ima.korea.army.mil/imakoroweb/sites/local/

PS: I can't find the "ICE" phone number or website, which is an easy way to get command attention at Yongsan. If you can find it, use it. Here is another way, and guaranteed they will consider your suggestions or questions:
http://www.usfk.mil/org/FKIG/Index.html?/org/FKIG/ Contents/CONTACT-ig.htm

Even though it is off limits, I dont think that stops anyone from going there??? It wont be as cool as it was before (05-06) but shit, thats life.....

Ironsider

Off limits is another of my hot buttons. ing grow up. We're all big boys and girls. Why does there have to be "big brother" to put places off limits? Just another example (see curfew) of using FP to control the actions of all.

I know that size-wise we are all big boys and & girls, but some people just can't stop acting stupid. I would say that it's about 20%. Age is not a factor...rank is not a factor. I seen E-6's and E-7's acting stupid. I've seen E-1's being saints. Gen. Bell has so many other things to worry about. I can understand why he just says f**k it. It's off limits to everyone.

Now if you can sneak over there and not get in trouble...then have at it. But if you get caught doing something stupid you get double punishment.