South Korea investigates diplomat sex scandal

SEOUL, South Korea—South Korea is investigating several diplomats accused of trading government documents for sex with a Chinese woman while posted at the country’s consulate in Shanghai, officials said Wednesday.

The Foreign Ministry and the prime minister’s office say they are probing at least four officials over the scandal, which was splashed across the front pages of South Korean newspapers on Wednesday.

The officials, including the former consul general, allegedly gave the woman unspecified government documents in return for sex and authorities are reviewing whether the documents were confidential, according to an official at the prime minister’s office.

They also allegedly used their influence to help Chinese nationals introduced by the woman get South Korean visas in a smoother, speedier manner, the official said on condition of anonymity because the investigation was still under way.

Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan said the probe began after the government received a tip, but he did not elaborate. South Korean media reported that the Chinese woman’s South Korean husband alerted authorities.

Kim said the government also planned to launch an investigation into the entire Shanghai consulate.

“I’m apologizing for causing the people anxieties over an unsavory incident,” Kim told lawmakers during a parliamentary committee meeting.