Biden security staffer investigated in S.Korea for assault: police

Seoul police announced Friday that a member of US Vice President Joe Biden’s security team is being probed for “drunkenly beating” a South Korean citizen.

According to an officer with Seoul’s Yongsan district police, the suspect, who works for the US Department of Homeland Security, is accused of physically assaulting a South Korean citizen while inebriated on the day before the president came.

The American man in his 30s and the alleged victim got into a fight over a taxi in front of the Grand Hyatt hotel, where Biden is believed to be staying during his visit to South Korea.

“The incident took place in the very early hours of Thursday and he was formally investigated today,” the officer said.

The alleged victim did not suffer any major injuries, he added.

Biden arrived in South Korea Friday on his first Asia trip as US leader, aiming to cement ties with regional security allies despite growing fears of a North Korean nuclear test.

Seoul is a close security partner of the US, with roughly 28,500 troops stationed in the country to assist defend it against the nuclear-armed North.

On Sunday, Biden will fly from South Korea to Japan.