Kang Kyung-hwa: "No Intention to Apologize for New Zealand Diplomat Sexual Harassment... Not the Situation for That"

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is attending the government questioning session on diplomacy, unification, and security held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 15th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha stated that she "has no intention of apologizing to the victim" regarding the New Zealand diplomat sexual harassment case.

On the 15th, during a National Assembly interpellation, Kang responded to Park Jin of the People Power Party, saying, "The case has not been properly investigated yet, and the perpetrator's right to self-defense has not been exercised," emphasizing this point.

She said, "It has not been revealed where the truth lies," and added, "According to the investigation by our National Human Rights Commission, although the commission requested that the details not be disclosed, even based solely on their findings, I am not in a position to apologize."

Kang stated, "Regarding this matter, the initial response was handled at the embassy level, and after a re-audit by headquarters, the embassy received a formal warning and the perpetrator was disciplined," adding, "From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' perspective, the case was settled, but the victim later filed a complaint with the New Zealand police based on statements different from the initial ones."

She said, "(The victim) also brought the complaint to our National Human Rights Commission following our guidance," and added, "We are preparing to strengthen procedures and staff training to prevent such incidents from happening again."

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