New Zealand Korean Diplomat Sexual Harassment Allegation... Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Consistently Upholding Zero Tolerance Policy"

"New Zealand Shows Willingness for Investigation Cooperation from the Past... Seeking Possible Ways for Cooperation"
New Zealand Foreign Ministry States "All Diplomats Must Follow Host Country Laws... Disappointed with Korean Government"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As allegations of sexual harassment by diplomat A against a New Zealand national male employee at the New Zealand Embassy have heightened the possibility of escalating into a diplomatic issue between Korea and New Zealand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is preparing countermeasures, stated that it is adhering to a 'zero-tolerance principle.'

On the 30th, Kim In-cheol, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explained at a regular briefing regarding the ministry's future response, "As consistently explained, we are maintaining the zero-tolerance principle," and added, "We are continuously striving to resolve this matter based on accurate facts."

The sexual harassment allegations against diplomat A have been spreading widely, especially after President Moon Jae-in mentioned them during a summit call with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on the 28th. It is known that President Moon expressed his intention to handle the matter after verifying the facts. It is unusual for such allegations to be raised during a summit call.

Earlier, New Zealand broadcaster NewsHub reported on the 25th that diplomat A, who worked at the New Zealand Embassy in 2017, was accused of sexually harassing a male employee three times, but the Korean government responded uncooperatively, preventing an investigation by New Zealand police. The New Zealand court issued an arrest warrant for diplomat A and reportedly requested cooperation from the Korean government. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained regarding cooperation with New Zealand authorities, "We have expressed willingness to cooperate in the past and will seek possible ways to assist in the investigation."

Until now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had distanced itself by stating that whether to respond to the New Zealand judicial authorities' investigation is a matter for the individual to decide. However, after the issue was mentioned during the summit call, it is known that countermeasures are being discussed mainly by the Personnel System Team, the Inspector General's Office, and the International Legal Affairs Bureau. Diplomat A left New Zealand in 2018, and the Ministry conducted its own audit, imposing a one-month salary reduction as disciplinary action. Since then, diplomat A is currently serving as Consul General at another Korean diplomatic mission in a different country.

The sexual harassment victim has filed a complaint with the Korean National Human Rights Commission regarding this matter. The National Human Rights Commission is expected to disclose the investigation results soon. Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to take necessary measures based on the commission's conclusion.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Yonhap News Agency's email inquiry about the sexual harassment case, stating, "The New Zealand government expressed disappointment that the Korean government did not cooperate with the New Zealand police's request regarding this case," and added, "New Zealand's position is that all diplomats are expected to comply with the host country's laws and be legally accountable for their actions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.