Fired spokesman removed from government payroll

The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae removed a disgraced former spokesman at the center of a sexual abuse scandal from the government payroll, an official said Wednesday.

Yoon Chang-jung was sacked last week as a spokesman for President Park Geun-hye following allegations that he sexually abused a young intern working as his secretary during a trip to Washington as a member of Park's entourage.

Still, he had technically remained a government official until his removal from the payroll.

Government regulations stipulate that public servants can face "ex officio dismissal" or other disciplinary measures if they violate or neglect their duties, or engage in acts that impair their reputations or honor.

"He was ex officio dismissed around 5 p.m.," presidential spokeswoman Kim Haing said.

Media reports say that Yoon had asked to leave office in the form of a voluntary resignation. But the presidential office decided to fire him.

Yoon, 56, was accused of grabbing the buttocks of the victim in her early 20s after drinking with her in Washington on Tuesday night, hours after Park held summit talks with U.S. President Barack Obama. He also allegedly exposed himself naked to her when she came to his hotel room.

He has flatly denied the allegations, claiming he only patted her on the waist in a gesture to encourage her to do a better job and that he was wearing his underpants when she came to his hotel room.

But presidential officials said that Yoon had admitted during an interview with Cheong Wa Dae ethics officers upon his return from the U.S. that he did touch her buttocks and that he was wearing nothing when she dropped in on him in his hotel room.

(Yonhap News)