Ref no. DOIA 2021-0827
10 November 2020
Jungdong Keun
[FYI request #13999 email]
Dear Jungdong
Thank you for your email of 17 October 2020 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
(MBIE), requesting the following under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
1. I kindly request all information you hold about the victim(s), and any other information you hold
in relation to the alleged sexual harassment crimes committed by Hongkon Kim, Deputy
Ambassador at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Wellington or
2. Any other information you hold related to the Korean Embassy in Wellington since December
2017 in relation to employment investigations or complaints.
In response to part 1 of your request, MBIE believes it would have been necessary under section 14 of
the Act to transfer this part of your request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), because
the information you requested is more closely aligned with the functions of MFAT. However, we are
aware that you have already requested this information from MFAT, and therefore we have not
transferred it.
In response to part 2 of your request, MBIE has identified one investigation by the Labour Inspectorate
related to the Korean Embassy in Wellington since December 2017. Please find attached all information
MBIE holds relating to this investigation. Please note that all identifying information regarding
individuals involved has been withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect their privacy.
In terms of section 9(1) of the Act, I am satisfied that, in the circumstances, the withholding of this
information is not outweighed by other considerations that render it desirable to make the information
available in the public interest.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of my decision to withhold
information relating to this request, in accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. The relevant details can
be found at:
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz. Yours sincerely
Stu Lumsden
National Manager
Labour Inspectorate
15 Stout Street, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140 New Zealand
E [email address]
W www.mbie.govt.nz
