Senior prosecutor under probe for harassment

By Lee Hyo-sik A senior prosecutor is under an internal probe to uncover whether he sexually harassed a female subordinate during a party in late October. According to the Ministry of Justice, Monday, the professor at the Legal Research & Training Institute and also a superintendent prosecutor, reportedly made suggestive remarks to a junior female prosecutor. At the time of the incident, he and 10 other newly-appointed prosecutors were drinking to celebrate the end of the training session. According to those present, the professor said, ``let’s kiss’’ to the female subordinate. She did not take his remarks seriously. Yet the incident spread like wildfire among the prosecutors, forcing the ministry to launch an investigation to find out exactly what happened. Investigators have been questioning the professor, the female prosecutor and those who were present at the party. ``We are currently trying to verify whether or not he made sexually suggestive remarks to her. If found to be true, it would be considered extremely inappropriate behavior, given the fact that he teaches junior prosecutors,’’ a ministry official said. The senior prosecutor at the center of the latest sexual harassment controversy has denied the allegations, insisting that he does not recall what he said and that at the time he was intoxicated. If the allegation is confirmed, the ministry plans to refer him to a disciplinary committee.

leehs@koreatimes.co.kr