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Former South Korea diplomat indicted for sexual assault

By Elizabeth Shim
A South Korean diplomat who was dismissed from his position in December has been prosecuted for sexual assault after he was caught on video. File Photo by EPA/Yonhap
A South Korean diplomat who was dismissed from his position in December has been prosecuted for sexual assault after he was caught on video. File Photo by EPA/Yonhap

May 24 (UPI) -- A South Korean diplomat caught molesting a teenage girl in Chile was indicted for sexual assault in his hometown.

The former mid-level diplomat identified by his surname Park was first caught on video in December, making unwanted sexual advances on a local minor.

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Park was also accused of forcing a hug on a 12-year-old Chilean girl and sending her lewd text messages in September 2016, the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office said Wednesday.

The incident prompted the young victim to report the incident, and a local television station launched an undercover reporting project, using another girl to catch the diplomat engaging in misconduct.

After he was filmed, Park allegedly begged the television crew to not air the video, which was broadcasted in Chile.

Park was described as a "national disgrace" at home and was summoned back to Seoul after the incident.

A month before he was caught on camera, Park allegedly fondled a female employee, a Chilean national, who worked at the Korean embassy.

South Korea's foreign ministry fired the diplomat in December, and reported alleged sexual abuse to Seoul prosecutors.

Park admitted to the charges, according to Yonhap.

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The incident caused uproar in South Korea and Chile.

South Korean Ambassador to Chile Yu Ji-eun issued an apology to the victims in December, immediately following the incident.

"I and the other diplomats at the South Korean embassy offer this sincere apology for causing serious harm and shock to the student victims, their families and the Chilean people due to this scandalous act," Yu said following the incident.

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