"Want to Try Human Meat" Bizarre Remark by Diplomat Leads to 'Warning'... Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Will Take Appropriate Measures"

Assemblyman Lee Taegyu "Lack of Will to Eradicate Misconduct within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs"... The Diplomat in Question Currently Serving at the Embassy
Ministry of Foreign Affairs States "Appropriate Measures Taken After Thorough Investigation"

[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 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 sense. Consul A reportedly said, "I think human meat would taste very delicious. I definitely want to try eating human flesh," and also made remarks such as, "My grandmother is Japanese, and thanks to her, Koreans 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 embezzlement.

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

Subsequently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged only three cases of inappropriate remarks involving specific employees and superiors and issued a warning under the minister’s name. Lee 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.

Lee criticized, "This is an example showing 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."

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that appropriate measures were taken through internal audits. Currently, Consul A is still serving as a consul at the overseas mission.

Lee Jae-woong, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing that "there was a tip regarding the matter," and "a thorough investigation was conducted, and appropriate measures were taken based on this investigation." When asked whether the measures were adequate, he replied, "I will not disclose specific details of the measures," but confirmed, "I can only confirm that appropriate measures were taken."

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