Busan: The foreign ministry announced that it is addressing an alleged harassment and assault case involving a Honduran diplomat with seriousness, ensuring the case follows due procedures.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Busan police reported that they have booked a Honduran diplomat without physical detention for allegedly harassing and assaulting another passenger on a subway train in the southeastern port city last month. The diplomat was reportedly intoxicated during the incident.
The foreign ministry expressed awareness of the situation's gravity and confirmed its cooperation with relevant authorities to implement appropriate measures in line with established procedures. A formal cautionary notice has been issued to the Honduran Embassy in Seoul, as indicated by diplomatic sources.
The diplomat involved is reportedly cooperating with the ongoing investigation. The ministry intends to ask the Honduran Embassy whether it will invoke diplomatic immunity for the diplomat under the Vienna Convention, contingent on the investigation's outcome. Although diplomatic immunity is guaranteed under the convention, foreign diplomats may voluntarily cooperate with investigations.
The ministry reiterated its stance, emphasizing that all foreign diplomatic missions and their staff in Korea must strictly adhere to domestic laws, and it pledged to continue these efforts.