U.S. 'regrets' Korean War shooting of civilians but won't apologize

The bridge near No Gun Ri where Korean civilians were gunned down by U.S. troops at the beginning of the Korean War

By CNN National Security Producer Chris Plante

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- While conceding that its troops gunned down civilians at No Gun Ri in the chaotic opening weeks of the Korean War, the U.S. will neither apologize formally nor directly compensate victims of the bloody episode, senior Pentagon officials told CNN Thursday.

Instead, the officials said, the United States will issue a "statement of regret" for the killings.

Additionally, the United States will likely offer to create an educational scholarship fund and a memorial to the victims of the 1950 incident, the officials said.

An estimated 100 to 300 Korean civilians were killed under a bridge near the town of No Gun Ri by U.S. troops who believed that communist North Korean troops had infiltrated and blended in with refugees streaming south.

There had been reports of the infiltrators killing U.S. soldiers from behind after passing through the disorganized front lines.

Army Secretary Louis Caldera said last week there was a "regrettable" loss of life at No Gun Ri, but he did not elaborate.

South Korean and U.S. officials continue to hash out the details of an agreement on the matter, and the findings of the completed Army investigation are expected to be made public next month.

More than one million Korean civilians were killed in the 1950-53 war.

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