South Korean President Park Geun-hye has fired her spokesman over a sexual assault that allegedly took place during her official visit to the US, the presidential office said Friday.
Yoon Chang-jung, a 57-year-old former journalist, was suspected of sexually assaulting a young woman who worked as an intern at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, Xinhua reported.
A report said Washington police has launched an investigation into the allegation.
Yoon was accompanying President Park on an official visit to the US, that included a meeting with US President Barack Obama, Yonhap news agency reported.
Senior presidential press secretary Lee Nam-ki said Yoon's "inappropriate behaviour hurts national dignity".
The sacking came as a surprise, as Park is still on her five-day visit to the US.
South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party Friday urged Park to apologise to the South Korean people.