'Assault on Clothing Store Employee' Belgian Ambassador's Wife's Side "Will Not Waive Immunity"

Assault Case Likely to Be Dismissed Due to Lack of Prosecution Rights

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] The wife of the Belgian ambassador to Korea, who is accused of assaulting employees at a clothing store, has informed the police that she will not waive her diplomatic immunity.

On the 16th, the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul announced that on the 14th, they confirmed the Belgian ambassador's side's intention not to waive diplomatic immunity. Accordingly, the police are expected to decide not to prosecute the case due to "lack of prosecutorial jurisdiction."

The police may choose not to forward a case to the prosecution if they determine there is no criminal suspicion. This is a change following the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and the police. Diplomats and their families are granted immunity from arrest or detention under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The Belgian ambassador's wife, Ms. A, was booked for assaulting two employees at a clothing store in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 9th of last month. After being booked, she initially did not respond to police investigations but was questioned by the police on the 6th of this month.