President Park Geun-hye on Thursday dismissed her spokesman Yoon Chang-jung over allegations that he sexually abused a woman during the delegation’s stay in Washington.

The incident dealt a fresh blow to Park, who has repeatedly been criticized for inept personnel appointments. Sexual crime is one of the four social evils that she promised to eradicate.

Park returned on Friday from her six-day visit to the U.S., where she held a summit with President Barack Obama.

Washington police have launched an investigation after a woman filed a sexual misdeed claim on Wednesday against an unidentified 56-year-old man, matching Yoon’s age. A preliminary police report alleged that the suspect “grabbed her buttocks without her permission” between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

“We are investigating the report of a misdemeanor sexual abuse. We cannot comment further at this time,” Gwendolyn Crump, director of the Office of Communications at the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, said in an email interview with Yonhap News, without elaborating. 

Yoon’s possible involvement was brought up after he was found to have abruptly flown home later that day while the rest of Park’s delegation headed to Los Angeles, the third and last leg of the trip.

Rumors have spread in the Korean community there that he had a drink with and then sexually assaulted a 21-year-old intern working at the Korean Embassy at another hotel.

Hours later, the presidential office announced his ouster.

“The decision was made as it was deemed that Yoon showed inappropriate conduct as a high-ranking official and damaged the dignity of the country by being personally involved in a disgraceful event while accompanying President Park on her U.S. visit,” said Lee Nam-ki, senior secretary for public relations, at a briefing.

Cheong Wa Dae officials are confirming details with the embassy, Lee added.

Yoon was expected to have arrived in Seoul on Thursday afternoon local time, apparently leaving most of his belongings at his hotel room in the U.S. capital. His immediate whereabouts remain unclear.

The ouster of Yoon tarnished Park’s first overseas trip that was aimed to highlight her new government’s reinforced alliance with Washington and promote wider investment despite the North Korea risk.

The former journalist and columnist has been a controversial figure, making his name as a regular commenter on a conservative television network with ultra-right-wing views and often extreme remarks.

While serving as spokesman for Park during her presidential transition period, Yoon took flak from lawmakers from the opposition camp and even her own party for professional ineptitude and insolent attitudes.

But the president pushed ahead to appoint him as a Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson, inviting further criticism over her inflexibility, lack of communication and untransparent decision making.

The main opposition Democratic Party called the latest incident a “foreseeable disaster,” demanding Park’s apology.

“The incident damaged national dignity and precipitated international shame. There must be a thorough investigation, punishment for those responsible, and an apology to the victim,” DP senior spokesman Rep. Kim Kwan-young said in a written statement.

“President Park and Cheong Wa Dae have to deeply reflect on the country’s fallen national status caused by their erroneous personnel appointment and apologize to the people,” another DP spokeswoman Bae Jae-jeung told a briefing.

The governing Saenuri Party expressed regret, while trying to contain the fallout.

“Though details of the incidents are yet to be disclosed, we regret the fact that an unsavory suspicion has arisen,” Saenuri spokeswoman Rep. Min Hyun-joo said in a commentary.

“But we hope that personal misdeeds will not eclipse President Park’s achievements during her visit to the U.S.”

Yoon’s downfall is likely to put a fresh strain on her fledgling administration that has already been grappling with bungled personnel selections, North Korean threats, lackluster economic growth and other internal and external challenges. 

At least a half dozen ministerial and vice-ministerial nominees withdrew after allegations surface over real estate speculation, tax evasion, ethical lapses and other issues.

By Lee Joo-hee & Shin Hyon-hee
(jhl@heraldcorp.com) (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)