Liberians in Their Teens Sexually Assaulted in Busan... Claiming 'Diplomatic Immunity' Upon Arrest

Participation in International Event in Busan
Transported to Hotel Near Busan Station

Busan Dongbu Police Station is investigating two Liberian men who came to South Korea on a business trip for allegedly sexually assaulting two female middle school students.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Kim Gun-chan, Intern Reporter] Two Liberian men participating in an international event held in Busan were arrested by the police on charges of sexually assaulting two female middle school students.

On the 23rd, the Dongbu Police Station in Busan announced that they have detained and are investigating Mr. A, in his 50s, and Mr. B, in his 30s, both Liberian nationals who came to South Korea on a business trip.

Mr. A and others are accused of sexually assaulting two female middle school students at a hotel in Dong-gu, Busan, at around 10:55 p.m. the previous day.

According to the police, a 112 emergency call was received from a friend of the victims stating, "Two friends are being held by foreigners." When the police arrived, Mr. A and others did not immediately open the hotel room door, so the police forcibly opened it and arrested them. It is known that they took the female middle school students, whom they met by chance near Busan Station, to the hotel.

Both Mr. A and Mr. B are government officials from Liberia and had visited Busan to attend the 'Korea Maritime Week' event held in Busan. Mr. B, who works for the International Maritime Organization, carried a diplomatic passport and reportedly claimed diplomatic immunity after the crime.

However, the police believe that Mr. B and others were not granted diplomatic status for domestic duties, so they are not subject to the Vienna Convention, which stipulates diplomatic immunity.

The police plan to request arrest warrants once the investigation is complete.

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