A U.S. soldier was arrested and questioned by South Korean police on Sunday on allegations of raping and beating a 67-year-old local woman, the South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.

A 23-year-old GI of the U.S. 8th Army stationed in South Korea, who was only identified by his initial G, was arrested by patrolling policemen in western Seoul around 6 a.m. Sunday when he allegedly punched the elderly woman in the face and raped her in a narrow path of a residential area, the police said.

The victim was taken to a nearby hospital with an injury that was not life threatening, the police said.

Major General John Morgan, acting commander of the 8th U.S. Army, issued an official apology after the incident.

"While no words can lessen the anguish of the victim or her family, I deeply regret and personally apologize for this terrible incident that has resulted in grave injury to a Korean civilian," Morgan said in a press release posted on an informal Web site of the U.S. forces in Korea (USFK), www.goodneighbor.or.kr.

Morgan said the act was an "affront to all soldiers. It taints both our reputations and the sacrifices made by all USFK service members who live and work honorably within this great society."

He said a joint investigation was underway and that the USFK will cooperate fully with Korean authorities "to see that the individual responsible for this crime is brought to justice."

Under the South Korea-United States Status of Forces Agreement,Korea can assume jurisdiction in cases involving serious crimes such as murder, rape, or arson.

About 30,000 U.S. soldiers are currently stationed in South Korea.

In 2002, South Koreans staged massive anti-U.S. protests nationwide after two South Korean schoolgirls were killed by a U.S.military armored vehicle.

Editor: Yan