The wife of the Belgian ambassador in South Korea did not stop at her previous controversial act that caused a widespread uproar months ago, reaching the police and global media when she struck two workers in a store in the capital, Seoul. A video of the incident spread, impacting her husband's position, and she has now repeated her actions shortly before his return to the country. After Belgium recalled its ambassador in May due to his wife's scandal that occurred in April, allowing him a few weeks to settle his affairs, the wife committed a similar act again, prompting Brussels to urgently call the ambassador back.
Another video recently circulated showing the wife hitting a cleaner after the cleaner accidentally brushed against her with his broom last Monday.
Immediate Return Without Delay
The Belgian Foreign Ministry stated in a statement on Wednesday that the circumstances of the incident "remain unclear," although a local Korean news agency revealed that police arrived at the scene after being notified, but both the cleaner and the ambassador's wife declined to comment. Nonetheless, Brussels emphasized the need for the ambassador to return quickly, as it wishes to maintain excellent relations with South Korea, holding the ambassador responsible for his wife's actions.
Lifting of Immunity
Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès confirmed that Ambassador Liskohier can no longer perform his duties in a normal manner after his wife's first incident, suggesting it is in the interest of relations between the two countries to call him back to Brussels.
It is noted that Belgium had waived the diplomatic immunity of the ambassador's wife after a video emerged showing her assaulting a shop employee, considering it possible for Korea to prosecute her. However, the police in Seoul did not press any charges against the diplomat's wife based on the request of the woman who was slapped. The Belgian embassy in Seoul issued an apology for the first incident on its Facebook page, which sparked significant outrage in the country, as Koreans insisted that the Belgian ambassador should have personally apologized rather than doing so online.
