Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Korean Diplomat 'Spreading Widely'... New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Also Says "Must Be Investigated in New Zealand"

Unusual Mention in Korea-New Zealand Leaders' Call on 28th Last Month... Repeatedly Highlighted
Deputy PM Peters Emphasizes "Korean Government Must Waive Immunity... Crimes Committed in New Zealand"
Foreign Ministry, Previously Dismissing as 'Individual Decision,' Now Considering Response Measures

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Allegations of sexual harassment involving a current diplomat are rapidly escalating. The incident, which surfaced through New Zealand local media and was mentioned during a call between the leaders of South Korea and New Zealand, has begun to escalate into a diplomatic issue. Recently, the then New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs officially stated that the Korean diplomat accused of sexual harassment must enter New Zealand and undergo investigation.

Winston Peters, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in an interview with New Zealand broadcaster Three Television's program Newshub on the 1st (local time) that the Korean diplomat A, who is accused of sexual harassment, "must come to New Zealand and be investigated." He emphasized that the sexual harassment incident was "a crime that occurred in New Zealand, not Korea," and added, "Just as one must follow Roman law in Rome, one must defend their case in New Zealand."

The diplomat A, accused of sexual harassment, is suspected of having touched specific body parts of a New Zealand male staff member three times while working at the South Korean Embassy in New Zealand at the end of 2017. After returning to Korea in 2018, the diplomat received a one-month salary reduction through an internal audit by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Subsequently, he was assigned as Consul General to another Asian country and continues to work there.

This issue resurfaced after the Wellington District Court in New Zealand issued an arrest warrant for A in February, and the New Zealand government requested cooperation from the South Korean government, but local media reported that the South Korean government was not cooperating properly. In the interview, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Peters said, "Diplomatic immunity can serve as a shield anywhere in the world, but it does not apply in this case," and added, "The South Korean government should waive the diplomat's immunity and send diplomat A back to our country (New Zealand)."

He also stated, "This case has been reported up to the highest level, and President Moon Jae-in is aware of it," emphasizing, "There is nothing more to do now but wait."

The New Zealand government is requesting a direct investigation of diplomat A and CCTV footage. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its intention to submit written materials based on testimonies from embassy officials at the time of the incident in 2017 to the New Zealand government, but it is reported that the New Zealand government has rejected this.

According to New Zealand online media Stuff, two days after the call between the South Korean and New Zealand leaders on the 28th of last month, on the 30th, Jacinda Ardern’s spokesperson expressed, regarding the sexual harassment issue and the South Korean government's uncooperative attitude, that "the Prime Minister expressed disappointment that the South Korean government could not waive immunity to allow a police investigation to proceed on this matter."

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues communication with the New Zealand side and has only stated officially that "we are not protecting any individual by invoking immunity." Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs initially responded passively to the issue, saying it was a matter for the individual to decide after the initial New Zealand media report, the atmosphere has somewhat changed after the leaders' call, but no concrete countermeasures have yet been presented.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea is confirmed to be conducting an investigation related to the sexual harassment case. The Commission stated that it cannot disclose detailed information as the investigation is ongoing. It is reported that the New Zealand male staff member submitted a petition to the National Human Rights Commission in November 2018, alleging that Korean diplomat A sexually harassed him multiple times.

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