A 13-year-old Mongolian girl who was studying in a high school in the Republic of Korea was beaten for six hours by four female high school students, forced to drink alcohol and locked in a room. What has happened has made Mongolians unite their voices. Today, their representatives are marching peacefully outside the Korean Embassy in Mongolia.
Lee Yoo Hong, Counselor at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea:
-We have received information about the circumstances of the case. I think the government will pay attention and resolve it in accordance with the law. We also talked about this with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs N.Ankhbayar yesterday. Currently, more than 40,000 Mongolians live and work in the Republic of Korea. I think it plays an important role in strengthening relations between the two countries and the development of the country. We hope that friendly relations will continue not only between the citizens of the two countries, but also at the government level.
J.Otgonbayar, citizen of Mongolia:
- Taking legal advice and assistance in Korea is expensive. So, as a citizen, I sent an official letter demanding that the Ministry pay attention to this and help the victim and apologize. Earlier, the owner of a hotel where a Mongolian woman worked in Republic of Korea was sexually harassed and beaten for more than an hour. What was the Mongolian Consulate in Korea doing at that time? Mongolia has forgotten its citizens for a long time.
Kim Yang Joon, head of the Women and Children Crime Prevention Department of the Yangsan City Police Department:
- The case took place on July 3 this year, and the police registered the case on July 4 and began an investigation. The suspects were four children, two of whom were minors, and the case was closed on October 1, because two suspects were too young to get sentenced. The case against the two able-bodied adults was transferred to prosecutors on October 28. Two of the four children who beat the girl were not convicted on the grounds that they were under the age of confession. The other two will remain in state isolation for some time. The victim's family has stated they will appeal the case.
N. Ankhbayar, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
-I have just met with the Republic of Korean Ambassador and Consular Officers. I have introduced the case and made certain demands.
First, we want to ensure the safety of children and their parents. This is because the safety of children has been affected since the press release was broadcast on Korean television, MBC, yesterday.
Secondly, frankly, our Consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only found out about what happened last July on TV. The consulate has no obligation to report under the Vienna Convention, but will continue to pay special attention to the exchange of information in the event of a serious human rights violation.
The case was opened on July 4 and two suspects’ cases were closed. The cases of the other two children are being investigated, according to the Republic of Korea. We urge the Republic of Korea to take immediate, transparent and open action in accordance with its laws, and to pay special attention to the imposition of appropriate penalties if found guilty.
Also, this is a criminal case, so we asked the Korean side to provide us with a very experienced lawyer if necessary. The Korean embassy said it had information about the case and was concerned.
A 13-year-old Mongolian girl who was studying in a high school in the Republic of Korea was beaten for six hours by four female high school students, forced to drink alcohol and locked in a room. What has happened has made Mongolians unite their voices. Today, their representatives are marching peacefully outside the Korean Embassy in Mongolia.
Lee Yoo Hong, Counselor at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea:
-We have received information about the circumstances of the case. I think the government will pay attention and resolve it in accordance with the law. We also talked about this with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs N.Ankhbayar yesterday. Currently, more than 40,000 Mongolians live and work in the Republic of Korea. I think it plays an important role in strengthening relations between the two countries and the development of the country. We hope that friendly relations will continue not only between the citizens of the two countries, but also at the government level.
J.Otgonbayar, citizen of Mongolia:
- Taking legal advice and assistance in Korea is expensive. So, as a citizen, I sent an official letter demanding that the Ministry pay attention to this and help the victim and apologize. Earlier, the owner of a hotel where a Mongolian woman worked in Republic of Korea was sexually harassed and beaten for more than an hour. What was the Mongolian Consulate in Korea doing at that time? Mongolia has forgotten its citizens for a long time.
Kim Yang Joon, head of the Women and Children Crime Prevention Department of the Yangsan City Police Department:
- The case took place on July 3 this year, and the police registered the case on July 4 and began an investigation. The suspects were four children, two of whom were minors, and the case was closed on October 1, because two suspects were too young to get sentenced. The case against the two able-bodied adults was transferred to prosecutors on October 28. Two of the four children who beat the girl were not convicted on the grounds that they were under the age of confession. The other two will remain in state isolation for some time. The victim's family has stated they will appeal the case.
N. Ankhbayar, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
-I have just met with the Republic of Korean Ambassador and Consular Officers. I have introduced the case and made certain demands.
First, we want to ensure the safety of children and their parents. This is because the safety of children has been affected since the press release was broadcast on Korean television, MBC, yesterday.
Secondly, frankly, our Consulate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only found out about what happened last July on TV. The consulate has no obligation to report under the Vienna Convention, but will continue to pay special attention to the exchange of information in the event of a serious human rights violation.
The case was opened on July 4 and two suspects’ cases were closed. The cases of the other two children are being investigated, according to the Republic of Korea. We urge the Republic of Korea to take immediate, transparent and open action in accordance with its laws, and to pay special attention to the imposition of appropriate penalties if found guilty.
Also, this is a criminal case, so we asked the Korean side to provide us with a very experienced lawyer if necessary. The Korean embassy said it had information about the case and was concerned.