South Koreans want Belgian ambassador’s wife to front up after slapping shopkeeper
- Belgian ambassador Peter Lescouhier has apologised on behalf of his wife Xiang Xueqiu, who is reportedly in hospital but will cooperate with police
- But new footage of Xiang trying on white pants with her shoes still on was seen as another slap in the face by South Korean internet users
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Seoul police seek Belgian envoy’s wife after she allegedly slapped shopkeeper
The incident has brought an unwelcome limelight on the European country, which ordinarily does not feature in South Korean news because of the negligible trade ties between both nations. Many people have also highlighted the Chinese heritage of Lescouhier’s wife, Xiang Xueqiu.
Local media said the apology had not come until South Korea’s foreign ministry summoned Deputy Head of Mission Patrick Englebert and urged the Belgian embassy to ask for forgiveness and cooperate with police investigations.
“The ambassador of Belgium sincerely regrets the incident involving his wife which happened on April 9 and wants to apologise on her behalf,” the embassy said of the matter, which was first reported on April 15. “No matter the circumstances, the way she reacted is unacceptable.”
It added that police informed the ambassador that an investigation had been launched on the same day that his wife was hospitalised.
Xiang, 63, was last week reportedly admitted to an intensive care unit following a stroke. She was moved to an ordinary ward days later.
According to the embassy’s statement, the ambassador said Xiang would go to the police once it was possible.
“We hope her health will improve quickly, so she will soon be able to assist with the police investigation, so we can all put this regrettable incident behind us,” the embassy said.