Scout leader accused of sexual offense apologizes

Gender Equality and Family Minister Kim Hyun-sook speaks at a press briefing on Monday. [YONHAP]

A male scout who entered the women’s shower apologized to the female scout who was in the shower, Gender Equality and Family Minister Kim Hyun-sook said Monday.

“The male scout has apologized to the female scout, and they have been separated,” Kim said in a morning press briefing.

“And when I said the incident was a ‘minor’ one, I was not referring to the intrusion itself. I said so because I heard from the police that there was a trespassing case,” Kim said of her previous comments.

A male Thai scout leader was found using the women’s shower Wednesday when he was spotted by a female scout who was using the shower. There were three booths in that shower, and the two were using each at the far ends.

Around 100 people witnessed the incident, according to the leader of the North Jeolla Province Scout Association Kim Tae-yeon, who announced Sunday that his delegation would withdraw from the camp.

Kim said that the organizing committee had taken no action, attributing the incident to a “cultural misunderstanding.”