SEOUL, South Korea — The top United States military commander in South Korea apologized Sunday for an episode last week during which American military police officers handcuffed three South Koreans in a dispute over a parking violation, inciting protests from civic groups.

Although local news media reports indicated that vocal and physical protests by the three South Koreans might have contributed to their handcuffing, the news of American service members manhandling South Korean citizens was almost guaranteed to be seen as outrageous here, where people harbor mixed feelings about the American military presence.

“I am very sorry this occurred,” said Gen. James D. Thurman, commander of the 28,500 American service members in South Korea. “I want to express my sincere apology to the individuals and community affected by the incident.”

According to the South Korean police, American military police officers were patrolling streets outside the United States Air Force’s Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, about 40 miles south of Seoul, on Thursday evening when they ordered a local shop owner to move his vehicle, which they said was illegally parked. In the ensuing dispute, three South Koreans, including the shop owner, were handcuffed.