[Exclusive] Senior NIS Official Accused in ‘LA Consulate Sexual Harassment’ Case Indicted and on Trial

Deputy Consul General Level 3 Senior Official
Second Trial Held at Seoul Central District Court
Defense Attorney Requests Copy of CCTV Footage

Seoul Central District Court. / Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] It has been confirmed that a senior official of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), who was accused of sexually harassing a contract employee while dispatched to the Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles (LA), USA last year, has been indicted on charges of forcible molestation and is currently on trial at the Seoul Central District Court.

On the morning of the 26th, Judge Lim Gwangho of Criminal Division 20 at the Seoul Central District Court conducted the second trial of Mr. A, a senior NIS official (Grade 3) indicted on charges of forcible molestation.

Earlier, Mr. A is accused of forcibly molesting contract employee Ms. B in front of the consulate building after a company dinner while working as a deputy consul general dispatched to the LA Consulate General through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 23 last year. The Women and Children Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office indicted Mr. A without detention on May 25 on these charges.

In court that day, Mr. A’s side stated "There was some physical contact," but claimed, "It was to help Ms. B, who was intoxicated, and there was no intention to molest." They also denied acts such as touching the chest or kissing, contrary to the prosecution’s allegations.

On the same day, the defense requested the court to allow them to copy a 10-minute CCTV footage from the time of the incident, but the request was denied. The defense argued, "The current practice of blocking copying due to concerns about 'secondary harm' is problematic (in terms of fact-finding, etc.)." The prosecutor opposed, saying, "Usually, videos involving the victim can only be viewed, not copied," and added, "You can come to the prosecution office anytime to view it."

The court plans to review the CCTV footage at the next trial and proceed with witness examination of the victim and others.

Originally, this case became controversial due to delayed responses by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the NIS. Ms. B reported the incident to local police immediately after it occurred, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only became aware of the case in July last year after being notified by the U.S. police. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly explained that they did not proceed with disciplinary measures for some time even after Ms. B’s complaint and Mr. A’s return to Korea because "handling was not easy as he was an NIS employee."

At a closed session of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee held in June, some members raised suspicions of concealment toward the NIS, saying, "The incident occurred in June last year, the victim reported it in July, but the disciplinary decision was made in June this year. Why was it so delayed?"

An NIS official stated, "After the local consulate in LA identified the issue, Mr. A was immediately recalled, and necessary measures such as suspension from duty were taken." They added, "Disciplinary action was taken after the investigation and prosecution by the police and prosecution were completed, and the results were notified to the victim in accordance with the law."

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