Belgium Urges Immediate Summons of Ambassador's Wife in South Korea Amid Assault Controversy

Sophie Wilm?s, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] The Belgian government has urged the wife of Peter Lescouhier, the Belgian ambassador to South Korea, who caused controversy by assaulting a clothing store employee and later a sanitation worker, to return to Belgium without delay.

On the 7th (local time), according to the U.S. political media outlet Politico, Sophie Wilm?s, Belgium's Minister of Foreign Affairs, urgently recalled Ambassador Lescouhier, saying, "Do not delay any longer."

Minister Wilm?s explained that this measure was "based on the ambassador's responsibility to the host country and our desire to maintain excellent relations with South Korea."

However, regarding the assault on the sanitation worker, the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs refrained from commenting, stating that "the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear at this time."

Belgian authorities had officially recalled Ambassador Lescouhier in May due to the incident involving his wife's assault on a store clerk, and he was scheduled to leave his post in August. Along with this, they waived Mrs. Lescouhier's diplomatic immunity for the police investigation, but the police ultimately decided not to prosecute.

Previously, Mrs. Lescouhier, identified as A, caused controversy on April 9th by slapping a clerk at a clothing store in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. However, she has recently come under criticism again due to her involvement in the assault on a sanitation worker.

According to the police, on the morning of the 5th at around 9:25 a.m., in Dokseodang Park, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, she had an altercation involving pushing with B, a sanitation worker affiliated with Yongsan District Office. The dispute began when a broom touched Mrs. A's body during cleaning, leading to a quarrel, and angry exchanges of shouting and pushing between Mrs. A and Mr. B were reported.

Neither party wishes to press charges, and Mr. B has not formally filed a complaint with the police.

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