The wife of the Belgian ambassador to South Korea has sought diplomatic immunity to avoid prosecution after being accused of assaulting two employees at a clothing store who suspected her of stealing, according to South Korean police on Monday. Ambassador Peter Leckuyt previously expressed his "sincere regret about the incident involving his wife" and offered "apologies on her behalf." He stated, "No matter the circumstances, the way she acted is unacceptable."
An official from the Yongsan police precinct in central Seoul mentioned that the Belgian embassy has announced it "maintains the right for the ambassador's wife to enjoy immunity," adding that the police should close the case. South Korea is among the nations that have signed the Geneva Convention, which guarantees diplomats and their families immunity from criminal prosecution.
Police interrogated the ambassador's wife earlier this month after the embassy announced it was coordinating with authorities. Media reports in April indicated that the ambassador's wife tried on two pieces at a clothing store in Seoul before leaving. An employee quickly ran after her to inquire about a piece she was wearing, which led to a confrontation. Surveillance footage showed the woman pulling the employee's arm and striking her on the head before slapping another employee who came to assist the first. The scenes, broadcast by South Korean media and widely circulated online, sparked anger in South Korea.
