Diplomat's Bizarre Remark "Human Meat Might Taste Good"... Ends with Just a Warning

A Consul's Controversial Remark "My Grandmother Is Japanese, So I Get to Eat Joseon Bread"
Rep. Lee Tae-gyu Criticizes "Lack of Will to Eradicate Ministry of Foreign Affairs Misconduct"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] This time, the abusive language used by a consul stationed in the United States last year towards embassy staff has repeatedly become an issue. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ inadequate response to misconduct occurring at overseas diplomatic missions has continuously come under scrutiny.

According to a tip received by the office of Lee Tae-gyu, a member of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee from the People’s Party, the consul A stationed in the United States was investigated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Inspector General’s Office in November last year for 16 cases of misconduct, including verbal abuse and inappropriate remarks towards administrative staff at the mission.

It is reported that some of the abusive language went beyond common decency. Consul A reportedly said, "I think human meat would taste very good. I definitely want to try eating human flesh," and also made remarks such as, "My grandmother was Japanese, and thanks to that, the Joseon people were able to survive by eating bread," according to the informants. Reports from affected employees also included physical contact with staff, forgery of official documents, and budget misappropriation.

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ inspection team did not conduct witness interviews with embassy staff during the six-day on-site audit, and it was only three months later, in January of this year, that a real-name survey was conducted via the Ministry’s internal email system, according to the lawmaker’s findings.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged only three cases of inappropriate remarks involving specific employees and superiors, issuing a warning in the name of the minister. The lawmaker pointed out that complaints have continued to be filed with the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, which he attributes to the Ministry’s inadequate audit.

Lawmaker Lee stated, "This is an example that shows not only the lax discipline within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but also the lack of Minister Kang Kyung-wha’s determination to eradicate misconduct within the Ministry."

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