Read on Twitter
1/ A top ranking male S. Korean diplomat is currently wanted by New Zealand police accused of sexually assaulting a male staff at the S. Korean embassy there in 2017. Arrest warrant was issued on February 28 2020 for the former Deputy Ambassador, but S. Korea has refused to help.
2/ The S. Korean diplomat was exposed by New Zealand media earlier this year as having been charged with indecent assault against a staff member at the S. Korean embassy in Wellington.
He is now Consul General in the S. Korean embassy in the Philippines. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12322028
He is now Consul General in the S. Korean embassy in the Philippines. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12322028
3/ Sexual assault allegations against the S. Korean diplomat are:
- squeezing the victim's buttock
- grabbing the victim's groin area
- grabbing the victim's nipple and chest
Under New Zealand law, indecent assault carries up to 7 years in prison for every charge.
- squeezing the victim's buttock
- grabbing the victim's groin area
- grabbing the victim's nipple and chest
Under New Zealand law, indecent assault carries up to 7 years in prison for every charge.
4/ The victim complained, and internal investigation took place at the embassy. Was still harassed by the top diplomat, and kept working for the alleged offender.
The allegations apparently only surfaced after an internal audit by MOFA in October 2018.
The allegations apparently only surfaced after an internal audit by MOFA in October 2018.
5/ S. Korea's Foreign Ministry said it took immediate steps to investigate allegations, "done in a way which ensured that the staff member was listened to and supported", spending "a great deal of time and effort ensuring that the staff member is safe and adequately supported".
6/ The diplomat was disciplined by the Korean MOFA.
The discipline, which I have directly seen and was recommended by MOFA's Sexual Harassment Review Committee, was a 1-month pay cut - ie an admission of sexual harassment.
The discipline, which I have directly seen and was recommended by MOFA's Sexual Harassment Review Committee, was a 1-month pay cut - ie an admission of sexual harassment.
7/ According to sources, the victim was never actually listened to and asked to give his side of the story. In short, the internal investigation was quickly and quietly dealt with. So the victim turned to local police. But diplomat had already left country for new posting.
8/ "Court documents show they [SK gov] stonewalled police, refusing to allow a scene examination, declining Police access to CCTV, failing to release their investigation, and refusing to waive diplomatic immunity so staff could be interviewed by police." https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/shows/2020/07/korean-govt-protects-diplomat-accused-of-sexual-assault-in-nz.html
![8/ "Court documents show they [SK gov] stonewalled police, refusing to allow a scene examination, declining Police access to CCTV, failing to release their investigation, and refusing to waive diplomatic immunity so staff could be interviewed by police." https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/shows/2020/07/korean-govt-protects-diplomat-accused-of-sexual-assault-in-nz.html](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EdvyTaDUwAAPYYy.png "8/ \"Court documents show they [SK gov] stonewalled police, refusing to allow a scene examination, declining Police access to CCTV, failing to release their investigation, and refusing to waive diplomatic immunity so staff could be interviewed by police.\" https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/shows/2020/07/korean-govt-protects-diplomat-accused-of-sexual-assault-in-nz.html")
9/ The diplomat has never sat down with New Zealand detectives. An internal S. Korean Embassy document says he said "there was absolutely no intention on my part to engage in sexual harassment", acknowledging "tapping" the victim on the bottom as a "joke".
10/ He says he remembers "giving his belly a couple of taps", not grabbing the victim's groin.
And he does recall "knocking his chest with both hands", but "did not grope him as he alleged".
And he does recall "knocking his chest with both hands", but "did not grope him as he alleged".
11/ The diplomat allegedly told a S. Korean media outlet Newstown:
"How can I sexually harass a white men who is stronger than I am if I'm not a homosexual or a pervert?" https://www.newstown.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=451480
"How can I sexually harass a white men who is stronger than I am if I'm not a homosexual or a pervert?" https://www.newstown.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=451480
12/ Meanwhile, the complainant says he has not been provided with any support. According to sources, he was diagnosed with PTSD, still suffering, but will see no justice because the diplomat is immune and the S. Korean government has no responsibility to turn him in.
13/ Meanwhile, S. Korean Ambassador Sang-jin Lee issued a statement to New Zealand media Newshub Nation, saying the diplomat has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty and that S. Korea respects New Zealand law. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/shows/2020/07/korean-govt-protects-diplomat-accused-of-sexual-assault-in-nz.html
14/ The Ambassador also said that the decision as to whether the diplomat returns to New Zealand to face the charges is a matter for himself to decide, leaving New Zealand police powerless.
15/ This isn't a story about whether the diplomat is gay or not. Sexual assault can happen between any gender. New Zealand police & law recognise this. No proper investigation was allowed, and we now have a situation where a powerful S. Korean man is being shielded by the SK gov.
16/ Statements and selected correspondence can be found in this thread: https://twitter.com/ConorWhittenTV/status/1286823835954634752?s=20
The report by @ConorWhittenTV about a S. Korean diplomat charged with indecent assault in New Zealand has now hit the Korean news cycle.
Yonhap: "The S. Korean government protects diplomat accused of sexual harassment, says New Zealand broadcaster". https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200727077000009
Yonhap: "The S. Korean government protects diplomat accused of sexual harassment, says New Zealand broadcaster". https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200727077000009
Plenty of Korean coverage now. This news was already covered in May but didn't make much noise.
Now with allegations of sexual harassment by late Seoul Mayor, and the government keeping quiet about it, I don't think people will let this one go so quickly. https://twitter.com/koryodynasty/status/1257093288508575745
Now with allegations of sexual harassment by late Seoul Mayor, and the government keeping quiet about it, I don't think people will let this one go so quickly. https://twitter.com/koryodynasty/status/1257093288508575745
Update: President Moon had a phone call last night with New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern, discussed the allegations of sexual harassment by a top South Korean diplomat when the latter was stationed in Wellington. Details of call not disclosed. https://news.joins.com/article/23835709
Chosun Ilbo: "As the call lasted for 30 minutes at the request of Prime Minister Ardern, it is also possible that the PM expressed regret and asked for cooperation in investigating the case." https://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2020/07/29/2020072900052.html
Just thought I'd point out that this has been an issue since May, but it was quickly brushed under the carpet back then. Then Mayor of Seoul Park Won-soon killed himself amid allegations of sexual harassment, and now the NZ case is a diplomatic issue. https://twitter.com/koryodynasty/status/1257093288508575745?s=20
Pres Moon allegedly told NZ PM Jacinda Ardern that he'd look back into the facts relating the allegations of sexual harassment by a top ranking diplomat on a staff member at the S. Korean embassy in NZ.
"The New Zealand government has expressed its disappointment that the Korean government did not cooperate with earlier requests from New Zealand Police in respect of this case," a spox at New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade told Yonhap. https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200730006700325
New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters says the former Korean Deputy Ambassador to New Zealand, accused of indecent assault, should return to NZ and defend himself. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/08/korean-diplomat-accused-of-sexual-assault-in-wellington-urged-to-come-back-to-nz-and-defend-himself.html
I spoke to @NewshubNationNZ about how this scandal is being dubbed a "national disgrace" here in South Korea. NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters hopes the controversy it's caused in terms of national integrity "will get us the hearing we want." https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/shows/2020/08/korean-diplomat-accused-of-sexual-assault-in-nz-a-national-disgrace-at-home.html
Exclusive: the National Human Rights Commission of Korea has decided to issue a recommendation after accepting a complaint from the victim of the Korean diplomat sexual harassment scandal.
This means a breach of human rights has been recognised. https://twitter.com/koryodynasty/status/1289389196805722113?s=19
This means a breach of human rights has been recognised. https://twitter.com/koryodynasty/status/1289389196805722113?s=19
It remains to be seen exactly what the South Korean human rights watchdog will issue as recommendation, and what human rights have been breached.
The fact this is a case of same-sex sexual harassment and a breach of human rights won't go down well in Korea. This is unheard of.
The fact this is a case of same-sex sexual harassment and a breach of human rights won't go down well in Korea. This is unheard of.
Worth also noting the National Human Rights Commission of Korea can only issue non-legally binding recommendations for acts of discrimination. Meaning they can be ignored or outright rejected.
There is currently no anti-discrimination law in South Korea.
There is currently no anti-discrimination law in South Korea.
MBN reveals that the South Korean embassy in New Zealand has placed a gag order on the victim.
Is basically not allowed to talk to media. https://news.v.daum.net/v/20200801131925197
Is basically not allowed to talk to media. https://news.v.daum.net/v/20200801131925197
All of Korea's main media have picked up on the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters interview on @NewshubNationNZ asking former Korean Deputy Ambo to NZ to return to the country and face questioning.
Money Today puts an infographic of a man aggressing a woman in a story about a man sexually harassing another man.
It's almost quite telling of the situation: they don't have a man-on-man assault image. They probably just don't get it, nor do many others. https://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2020080119572214770
It's almost quite telling of the situation: they don't have a man-on-man assault image. They probably just don't get it, nor do many others. https://news.mt.co.kr/mtview.php?no=2020080119572214770
S. Korea's main opposition United Future Party blasts government over diplomat scandal, criticises Pres. Moon Jae-in for not doing anything about his presidential pledge to deal with "gender violence".
This coming from the homophobic & misogynist UFP. https://www.unitedfutureparty.kr/renewal/news/briefing_delegate_view.do?bbsId=SPB_000000001872437
This coming from the homophobic & misogynist UFP. https://www.unitedfutureparty.kr/renewal/news/briefing_delegate_view.do?bbsId=SPB_000000001872437
Like I said, this is all about politics. https://twitter.com/koryodynasty/status/1289043331423416320
BREAKING: South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ordered the diplomat accused of sexual harassment in New Zealand to immediately return to Korea. https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200803102751504?input=tw
BREAKING: Possibility that South Korea will cooperate with extradition proceedings, to make the diplomat accused of sexual harassment be sent to New Zealand. https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200803102900504?section=news&site=header_newsflash
S. Korea is trying to avoid this escalating into a diplomatic disaster with NZ.
The diplomat accused of sexual harassment ("accused" even though he's already had pay cut by 1 month meaning acknowledgement of crime) has been ordered to return to S. Korea immediately.
The diplomat accused of sexual harassment ("accused" even though he's already had pay cut by 1 month meaning acknowledgement of crime) has been ordered to return to S. Korea immediately.
