Korean diplomat in Germany faces recall for alleged drunk driving

SEOUL, Oct. 13 (Yonhap) -- Seoul will recall its Germany-based senior diplomat who recently caused a car accident allegedly under the influence of alcohol to determine whether he should be disciplined or not, a foreign ministry official here said Thursday.
The diplomat, whose identity was withheld by the authority, has been investigated by German police on suspicions of drunk driving. He rammed his vehicle into four parked cars at a restaurant in Berlin after having dinner there last Friday, according to the ministry.
The diplomat insisted that his car's sudden start caused the accident. An officer who was on the scene, however, claimed to detect an odor of alcohol on him.
No roadside breathalyzer test was conducted at the scene, and the police did not arrest him because of his diplomatic immunity.
"We sent a telegram message this morning to the South Korean Embassy in Germany, asking it to send the official in question back," the official said, requesting not to be named. "We will investigate him and decide what disciplinary measure to take against him."
But the official said scrutiny is needed to determine the exact cause of the accident.