26 May 2016

NZ diplomat involved in incident with Seoul police

1:33 pm on 26 May 2016

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has contacted Korean authorities, following an incident involving a New Zealand diplomat in Seoul, it says.

A Korean newspaper has reported the police questioned a New Zealand diplomat yesterday over the obstruction of officers who tried to arrest his friends on suspicion of molesting a female bar worker.

The article said the diplomat and his friends were taken to the police station and the man was freed under the rule covering diplomatic immunity.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said it had been advised by a diplomat of an incident in Seoul where the man was assisting two New Zealanders being questioned by police.

The spokesperson said the embassy in Seoul was following up with the Korean authorities.