Drunk Driving Caught Chinese Consul Claims Immunity Privilege During Investigation Process

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] A consul working at the Chinese Consulate General in Gwangju was caught by the police after being reported by a resident for drunk driving. The consul is known to be claiming diplomatic immunity.

According to the Gwangju Seobu Police Station on the 23rd, Consul A, affiliated with the Chinese Consulate General in Gwangju, was caught drunk driving around midnight on the 20th in an underground parking lot of an apartment in Pungam-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. It is reported that a passerby who suspected the driver of drunk driving reported it to the police.

At the time of the arrest, A was in a state of severe intoxication exceeding the license cancellation level. He is known to have claimed diplomatic immunity during the investigation. The police are reviewing whether A's drunk driving falls under diplomatic immunity.

A government official stated, "We have been strictly dealing with illegal acts related to foreign diplomatic corps in Korea, and we plan to respond strictly in cooperation with investigative authorities regarding this case as well."