"Apple in New Zealand is a Matter of National Dignity," Kang Kyung-wha's Remark Met with New Zealand Foreign Ministry's "No Comment"

by Lim Chulyoung

Published 26 Aug.2020 14:56(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it "has nothing more to say" regarding Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha's remarks in the National Assembly about allegations of sexual harassment by a Korean diplomat. On the 25th, Minister Kang appeared before the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and apologized again to the Korean people and the President, while emphasizing that an apology from the Foreign Minister to New Zealand is a matter of sovereignty and national dignity, and not a decision to be made lightly.

In response, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Yonhap News on the 26th that it is aware of Minister Kang's remarks and reiterated, "As previously stated, this matter is under the jurisdiction of the judicial authorities (police), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not comment further."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary session, Minister Kang expressed regret regarding the mention of the diplomat's sexual harassment allegations during a call between the leaders of Korea and New Zealand, saying, "Regardless of the circumstances, I apologize for putting the President in an uncomfortable position." New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern raised the allegations of sexual harassment by a Korean diplomat during a call with President Moon Jae-in on the 28th of last month, which was not discussed in prior consultations, causing a stir. Diplomat A is accused of inappropriately touching the body of a local male staff member while serving at the Korean Embassy in New Zealand in 2017.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been making efforts to resolve the matter privately through mediation between the parties involved since the beginning of this year but has failed. It is currently reviewing mediation again, but no progress has been reported. Earlier, the New Zealand court issued an arrest warrant for Diplomat A in February. Minister Kang apologized, saying, "I am deeply sorry that this sexual harassment incident occurred. This issue has been a significant burden on diplomacy and has caused concern among the public."

On the 24th, Minister Kang also held a video conference with department heads and stated, "The 'sexual misconduct incident' that occurred at the Korean Embassy in New Zealand was raised during the leaders' call, which not only became a diplomatic burden for our government but also caused concern among the public, for which I am sorry."

However, regarding the Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sang-min's suggestion that an apology should be made to the New Zealand public and the victim concerning the sexual harassment allegations, Minister Kang raised her voice, saying that apologizing to the other country is not a matter to be decided lightly.

There was no agenda related to the sexual harassment allegations during the working-level consultations prior to the leaders' call, which was arranged at New Zealand's request. After the allegations were highlighted again through local media, New Zealand's judicial authorities have not officially requested judicial cooperation from the Korean government. Moreover, New Zealand has rejected alternative investigative methods such as voluntary investigations or submission of written materials by the involved staff. Minister Kang said, "An apology from the Foreign Minister to another country is a matter of national dignity," adding, "I cannot offer an apology here at this moment."

She continued, "It should not have become an agenda item during the leaders' call, but it did, and New Zealand bears significant responsibility for this. Since it has become a diplomatic issue, it is necessary to resolve it while protecting our national dignity and sovereignty."