Wife Who Slapped Employee Left, Belgian Ambassador with 'Korean Wife' Arrived

New Ambassador Fran?ois Bongdang: "I Will Devote Myself to Correcting Mistakes"

Francois Bongtang, the new ambassador, has taken office as the successor to Peter Lesquie, the former Belgian ambassador to Korea who left Korea amid controversy over spousal assault. The photo shows Ambassador Bongtang (left) and his Korean spouse, Choi Ja-hyun. Photo by the Embassy of Belgium in Korea official Facebook page.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Fran?ois Bongtang, the new ambassador, has been appointed as the successor to Peter Lesquie, who left Korea last July amid a controversy over wife assault.

According to the Embassy of Belgium in Korea, Ambassador Bongtang entered the country on the 3rd together with his Korean wife, Choi Jahyun.

Having previously served as the Belgian ambassador to Korea from 2012 to 2016, Ambassador Bongtang conveyed his greetings on the 14th through the Embassy of Belgium in Korea's website.

Ambassador Bongtang stated, "Along with my wife, I am pleased to return to the Republic of Korea, a country we love, to work with a spirit of service to deepen and broaden the relationship between our two countries. I want to strive to be part of the friendship built on a solid foundation and a long history."

Regarding the previous ambassador's wife assault controversy, he emphasized, "We will unite and devote ourselves to overcoming the crisis, overcoming common challenges, and correcting our mistakes on this journey." He added, "We will work hard to wisely and clearly seek and develop common opportunities between the two countries."

Meanwhile, A, the Chinese-Korean wife of former Ambassador Lesquie, caused disturbances by slapping a clothing store employee in April and getting into a physical altercation with a sanitation worker in July.

As A was repeatedly involved in assault incidents, the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs ordered an immediate return, and former Ambassador Lesquie and A returned to Belgium on July 9. A did not waive diplomatic immunity granted to diplomatic families and thus faced no criminal punishment.