Honduras waives immunity of diplomat accused of sexual assault in Busan

The nameplate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the main entrance of its headquarters in central Seoul. Korea Times file

The Honduran government has officially waived the immunity of a diplomat stationed in Korea who is currently under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct and assault.

In a statement released Tuesday (local time), the Honduran Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it had revoked the immunity of the diplomat assigned to its embassy in Seoul, citing involvement in “a serious incident that occurred in Korea.”

“The individual in question must face appropriate legal consequences if responsibility is established through the local judicial process,” the ministry said.

“We emphasize to our diplomats the absolute need to comply with the laws of the host country, and we condemn any actions that violate the human rights and dignity of others,” the ministry's statement continued. “If he returns to Honduras, his diplomatic passport will be confiscated.”

The diplomat in question, stationed at the Honduran Embassy in Seoul, visited Busan last month on a business trip, where the alleged incident occurred.

While heavily intoxicated, the diplomat is accused of making unwanted physical contact with a male passenger on the Busan subway. When a confrontation ensued, he allegedly assaulted the individual.

Earlier this week, the Haeundae Police Station in the southern port city announced it had booked the Honduran diplomat without detention on charges of inappropriate physical contact and assault. The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on June 19 aboard Line 2 of the Busan subway.