Mexican dodges sexual harassment probe with diplomatic immunity

By Chyung Eun-ju

A Mexican diplomat who allegedly sexually harassed a Korean employee has dodged a police investigation using his diplomatic immunity.

The female employee, 30, reported that the unidentified diplomat sexually harassed her in June, Jongno Police Station and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

According to the victim, the Mexican touched her thighs and hips several times without permission.

Police attempted to investigate on charges of a quasi-indecent act by force last month but the suspect prevented the probe.

Police asked the diplomat three times if he was willing to give up his immunity but he refused.

The foreign ministry intervened and sent an official letter to the Embassy of Mexico in Korea asking for cooperation with the police investigation.

Under the law, if the diplomat claims immunity, he can choose to be investigated in his own country.

It is not the first time a foreign diplomat has escaped penalty. The second secretary of the Embassy of Papua New Guinea fled to his country using his immunity while under investigation for quasi-indecent act by force charges in February.

The son of a Saudi Arabian diplomat, 18, also claimed immunity and fled to his country while under investigation for assaulting people at a club in April.