Diplomat's sex scandal in Chile sparks angry calls for severe punishment

By Park Sae-jin Posted : December 20, 2016, 14:02 Updated : December 20, 2016, 14:09

[Courtesy of YouTuber Hernandez Cristian]

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A South Korean diplomat accused of harassing teenage girls in Chile has been summoned for an investigation that could lead to criminal charges after the foreign ministry pledged "zero tolerance" against serious misdeeds by diplomats.

The alleged sexual abuse of teenagers shocked diplomatic communities and sparked an angry online campaign in South Korea calling for harsh legal punishment.

The councilor surnamed Park in charge of cultural affairs at South Korea's foreign mission in Chile was accused of making improper physical contact with a 14-year-old Chilean girl during a Korean-language session in September.

In early December, a Chilean television station filmed the diplomat's sexual harassment of another woman who was acting as a teenage girl receiving a Korean language lesson. He was seen trying to hug and kiss a girl, saying he liked her eyes, lips, and breasts.

Tio Emilio, who runs a reality show, said via his Facebook and Twitter pages that the girls are under 13 years old. In an interview, one girl said, "I even came to think of suicide because I felt it was extremely disgusting."

"It's utter nonsense that he should be protected by diplomatic immunity," wrote Ivory, a user from South Korea's IT community Clien, calling for a severe punishment.

"I cannot say that I'm from South Korea because I'm scared and embarrassed," said Santiago, a user in the online car mania community Bobaedream, who claimed to be a Korean resident in Chile.

"I fear that the popularity of K-pop, which has built up over many years, may collapse because of that idiot," the user said, adding that if charged in Chile, the diplomat would have to risk his life because under-age sex offenders are regarded as a serious crime there.

The South's foreign ministry has voiced regret and "extreme" sorry, pledging "zero-tolerance". The diplomat was suspended and recalled for a ministry investigation.

In Santigo, South Korean Ambassador Yu Ji-eun issued a statement apologizing for the incident as the initial clip has been shared widely shared in Chile.

Lim Chang-won and Park Sae-jin 
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