Sapporo streetcars, known locally as Shiden, run in a loop through central Sapporo, including along the streets of the Susukino district on Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island, Jan. 18. Reuters-Yonhap
The recent group assault of a Korean tourist in Japan has sparked controversy over the consular response by Korea’s diplomatic officials, with the victim and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offering conflicting accounts of the assistance provided.
The victim, who suffered serious injuries including three broken teeth, said authorities failed to offer timely and active support after the attack. The foreign ministry, however, rejected those claims, saying it had fulfilled its legal obligations and denying any negligence.
According to the victim, the assault happened on Dec. 2, 2025, in Sapporo’s Susukino entertainment district. The victim, a Korean man whose identity has not been disclosed, was walking alone when he was attacked by five Japanese nationals after refusing their demand for money.
He sustained injuries including crown fractures to three lower front teeth and nerve damage. The victim said he fled to a nearby restaurant and reported the incident to police with the help of local residents.
He then sought assistance from the Korean Consulate General in Sapporo, but claimed officials did not provide proactive support, instead stating that they were unable to intervene and directing him to the consular call center.
The victim, who does not speak Japanese, said he urgently requested interpretation support for follow-up investigations but was turned away by officials.
After he shared his account in a post on an online Japan travel community, public criticism mounted over what was widely seen as inadequate consular assistance by the foreign ministry.
The controversy has drawn particular attention as it comes amid President Lee Jae Myung’s emphasis on protecting Koreans overseas, following high-profile cases of phishing scams in Cambodia involving Korean nationals.
Amid growing criticism, the foreign ministry released a statement Wednesday defending the consulate’s actions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Seoul / Yonhap
The ministry said the consulate consulted its legal adviser on Dec. 4 to determine how to respond to the case and shared the information with the victim. It also said the consulate contacted the Hokkaido Prefectural Police to inquire whether the victim was eligible for Japan’s crime victim compensation system and relayed the response to him.
Between December and February, consular officials contacted Japanese police six times, urging efforts to apprehend the suspects and calling for a swift and fair investigation, the ministry said.
“We informed the victim about available assistance, including how to receive free legal consultation service, free interpretation support, information on local hospitals and how to obtain a medical injury report, and procedures for filing a report with Japanese police,” a ministry official said.
The ministry said the victim did not formally request interpretation support from the consulate, as he had already arranged interpretation assistance independently through an acquaintance.
It also noted that overseas missions are not legally permitted to directly provide interpretation or legal services, and can only help connect Korean nationals with such services.
Under Korean law, consular assistance must not exceed the level of protection the government provides in similar cases within Korea and is largely limited to providing information and guidance on legal procedures overseas.
AloJapan.com