Two navy sailors accused of sexual harrassment in South Korea

The Indian embassy in Seoul said the incident will not be allowed to dampen the goodwill that exists between India and South Korea.

New Delhi: Two Indian Navy sailors have been accused of sexual harassment by a woman in South Korea where a ship was on a goodwill visit and a Court of Inquiry will be initiated by the navy against them.

The development has come as a huge embarrassment for the navy as on Sunday, officials from the Indian embassy and the naval ship extended "sincerest apologies and deep regrets" to the complainant and her family, which were "accepted", thereby settling the matter "amicably".

"We have a policy of zero tolerance (in such incidents). A Court of Inquiry will be initiated against the two once they come back," naval sources said. The incident took place last week.

In a statement, the Indian embassy in Seoul said this incident will not be allowed to dampen the goodwill that exists between India and Republic of Korea.

"The visit of the navy vessel will continue on its agreed agenda, in accordance with the strong commitment on both sides to deepen and widen the special strategic partnership established between India and the Republic of Korea," it said.

The vessel, which left Incheon on Tuesday, is on an operational deployment to northwest Pacific region and South China Sea in line with India's Act East policy.

"It is reiterated that under no circumstances will such conduct be tolerated, by the Indian Navy or the Government of India. Any infringement of conduct codes will be dealt in accordance with the most stringent provision of the Indian Navy law," the statement on October 26 said.