Police are questioning a guesthouse owner in downtown Seoul over allegations that a Japanese guest was sexually assaulted there earlier this month.

According to officers in Mapo, the probe was launched after the Japanese Embassy filed a complaint against the guesthouse on May 16 after learning that a 45-year-old woman who had stayed there on May 6 was raped after sharing drinks with fellow guests, the owner and his friends.

She claimed that right after she returned to her room late at night she was attacked.

The alleged victim immediately reported to the embassy, which conducted an internal investigation and requested an official investigation by the Korean police.

The investigators reportedly said they were putting extra efforts into the case due to the risk of damaging diplomatic relations.

“It is a very rare thing for an embassy to file a complaint on behalf of a victim. We have summoned the suspect and have sent an email to the victim to confirm the allegations,” an officer was quoted as saying to Dong-A Ilbo newspaper.

(baejisook@heraldcorp.com)