S Korean president sacks spokesperson involved in sex scandal

South Korean President Park Geun-hye has fired her spokesperson over a sexual assault that allegedly took place during her official visit to the US, the presidential office said today.

Updated on: May 10, 2013, 21:03:29 IST

IANS | By HT Correspondent, Seoul

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South Korean President Park Geun-hye has fired her spokesperson over a sexual assault that allegedly took place during her official visit to the US, the presidential office said on Friday.

Yoon Chang-jung, a 57-year-old former journalist, was suspected of sexually assaulting a young woman who worked as an intern at the South Korean embassy in Washington, Xinhua reported.

A report said Washington police has launched an investigation into the allegation.

Yoon was accompanying President Park on an official visit to the US, that included a meeting with US President Barack Obama, Yonhap news agency reported.

Senior presidential press secretary Lee Nam-ki said Yoon's "inappropriate behaviour hurts national dignity".

The sacking came as a surprise, as Park is still on her five-day visit to the US.

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party on Friday urged Park to apologise to the South Korean people.

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