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The wife of the Belgian ambassador to South Korea, who gained infamy for hitting staff at a clothing store, has gotten into trouble once again. The police were called when she got into a fight with a street sweeper.

The Yongsan Police Department said Tuesday that Xiang Xueqiu got into a physical altercation with a 65-year-old street sweeper employed at the Yongsan District Office in Dokseodang Park, in the Hannam neighborhood of Seoul’s Yongsan District, at 9:25 am on Monday. Xiang is the wife of Belgian ambassador Peter Lescouhier.

The fight broke out when the street sweeper, who was sweeping the park, brushed his broom against Xiang, prompting Xiang to slap him across the cheek. The two got into a shouting match and started shoving each other, which ended with Xiang getting knocked to the ground.

The police arrived on the scene in response to a call but let the two go because neither wanted the other punished.

Xiang visited Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital, located nearby, because of back pain.

The street sweeper dropped by a police box in the area around 4 pm that day, where he testified that Xiang had hit him and received information about pressing charges. But so far, he hasn’t filed a complaint.

In April, Xiang assaulted employees at a clothing store, also in Yongsan District, when one of them touched her clothing to see if she had purchased it or not. The police booked and questioned her after she allegedly hit one employee in the back of the head and slapped the other when she tried to intervene.

Facing increasing pressure, Lescouhier issued an official apology. The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly decided to end Lescouhier’s term as ambassador this summer and repatriate him and his wife.

By Kim Yoon-ju, staff reporter

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