'Busan Middle School Girl Sexual Assault' Liberian Official, Local Media Reveals Real Name and Face

Claim of Diplomatic Immunity to Police Immediately After Crime
Busan District Court Issues Arrest Warrant Due to Flight and Evidence Tampering Concerns
Liberia Maritime Authority Promises Appropriate Measures According to Domestic and International Law

Two Liberian officials accused of sexually assaulting a teenage female middle school student in Busan were arrested on the 25th, while Liberian local media criticized them by releasing their face photos. Photo by Liberian Observer

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] Two Liberian officials accused of sexually assaulting a teenage female middle school student in Busan were arrested on the 25th, and local media criticized them by releasing their face photos.

On the 23rd (local time), the Liberian independent media 'Liberian Observer' posted unblurred commemorative photos taken in Korea of two Liberian officials accused of sexual assault: Mr. A in his 50s and Mr. B in his 30s, on their website.

They disclosed their identities, including their faces, immediately after news of their arrest by Korean police became known. The media also revealed their names and positions.

Mr. A and Mr. B were arrested by police on the night of the 22nd around 11 p.m. at a hotel in Dong-gu, Busan, on charges of sexually assaulting and detaining two female middle school students. It is known that they were participating in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries-hosted Korea Maritime Week international program held in Gijang-gun, Busan, from the 21st to the 23rd.

Korea Maritime Week is an event where major issues in the international maritime sector, such as marine environment, climate crisis, and future fuels, are discussed with various maritime experts to seek response strategies.

Both individuals are Liberian officials; Mr. A belongs to the Liberian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. B participated in the program for dispatch work to the International Maritime Organization. In particular, Mr. A is reported to be a high-ranking Liberian official. It was reported that Mr. A and Mr. B claimed diplomatic immunity immediately after the crime.

However, the police judged that they are not subject to the Vienna Convention, which stipulates diplomatic immunity, and applied for arrest warrants. On the 25th, the Busan District Court conducted a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant review) for the Liberians Mr. A and Mr. B and issued arrest warrants, judging that there was a risk of flight and evidence destruction.

Regarding this incident, the Liberian Maritime Authority stated, "We clearly take a zero-tolerance stance on all types of sexual crimes," and "The Liberian maritime authorities will actively cooperate with the Republic of Korea government in investigating this case and promise to take appropriate measures according to domestic and international law."