Former Senior NIS Official Charged in 'LA Consulate Sexual Harassment' Case Fined 10 Million Won in First Trial

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A former senior official of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) who was prosecuted for sexually harassing a contract employee while dispatched to the Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles (LA), USA, in 2020, was sentenced to a fine of 10 million won in the first trial.

On the afternoon of the 31st, Judge Lim Gwang-ho of Criminal Division 20 at the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Mr. A, a former senior NIS official (Grade 3) indicted on charges of forcible sexual assault, accordingly.

Judge Lim stated, "The crime was committed against an intoxicated employee during a company dinner, which is a serious offense, and the victim has suffered considerable pain and continues to complain of harm up to this court." However, he added, "The defendant is a first-time offender and shows remorse. Considering that the degree of assault was not severe and there is room for improvement, these factors were taken into account."

Mr. A was dispatched to the US LA Consulate General at the vice-consul general level through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 23, 2020. He was prosecuted for forcibly sexually assaulting contract employee Mr. B in front of the consulate building after a company dinner. At that time, Mr. B was found to be in a 'passing out' state, having lost consciousness due to heavy intoxication.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs repatriated Mr. A to Korea one month after the incident, and the Women and Children Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office indicted Mr. A without detention in May last year. During the trial, Mr. A's side admitted to some physical contact but claimed, "We intended to help the intoxicated Mr. B, not to sexually harass." They also denied acts such as touching the chest or kissing, contrary to the prosecution's allegations.

Mr. A's charges were partially upheld. On this day, Judge Lim stated, "The defendant's actions of touching the victim's face and thighs are clearly confirmed on CCTV footage," and "Considering that the victim worked in the same position for 11 years and that the company dinner was held for him, it is difficult to see the accusation against the defendant as false." The court ruled that Mr. A committed quasi-forcible sexual assault beyond merely trying to help Mr. B.

However, regarding the charges of touching the chest or kissing, the court acquitted Mr. A due to the victim's memory inaccuracies and lack of evidence.

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