Yoon confesses to ‘touching intern’s hip’ in official probe

On whether he sexually harassed an intern in Washington, former presidential spokesman Yoon Chang-jung said at a press conference on Saturday, “I only tapped the woman’s waist.” But he reportedly confessed to touching the woman’s buttocks at a probe conducted by the presidential secretariat of civil affairs upon returning to Korea on Thursday last week.

“All I did was to tap the waste of the female guide while offering words of encouragement,” Yoon said at the press conference. He tried to excuse himself that he committed the act due to poor understanding of American culture, saying “I deeply reflect (tapping the waste) because I belatedly have realized that I was not fully aware of American culture.”

But when asked at the probe by the presidential secretariat of civil affairs, “Did you touch the buttocks as the intern claimed?" Yoon is known to say, “Yes.” He also reportedly changed his testimony about the situation that happened on Wednesday morning, after which the intern reported the case to police. He said at the press conference, “I went (to the door) wearing inner wear, (because I was) off guard” to the question on what attire he was wearing when answering the door (at the hotel room). But when probed by the presidential secretariat, he reportedly replied “I was not wearing panties.”

Asked about suspicions regarding his allegations posted on "Missy USA," an online community of Korean American women that was the first to disclose the incident, and tips added by Korean Americans, Yoon reportedly said, “I cannot remember.”

“We cannot disclose findings from the probe, but what he testified at the secretariat probe and what he said at the press conference are significantly different,” a source at the presidential office said. “Hence, the presidential secretariat does not trust various remarks made by Yoon (including what he said at the press conference).”

The probe by the presidential secretariat was conducted in a Q&A format, in which Yoon was questioned and answered about what the victim, an intern with the Korean Embassy in Washington, reported to U.S. police as well as tips from various sources. After concluding his testimony at the secretariat probe, Yoon reportedly signed on the probe report in person.