S Korean arrested for sexual assault attempt at CUHK hostel

A South Korean exchange student was arrested in Hong Kong on Tuesday after he allegedly tried to sexually assault a female classmate after imbibing marijuana.

The student, aged 21, is also accused of wandering around a university dorm naked in a delirious state.

According to Sing Tao Daily, a disturbing incident took place at a students' hostel at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in the early hours on May 9.

Some pupils living in the university's Chan Chun Ha Hostel saw a South Korean youth walking deliriously, without wearing any clothes, at the hostel's fourth floor that houses female students.

Security guards were called to the scene to subdue the man before police officers arrived. He was strapped and sent by ambulance for medical examination.

Investigations revealed that the suspect and two other students, a 21-year-old male roommate and a 23-year-old woman, together used marijuana by the library close to the dormitory at about 4 am.

After the three, all of whom were exchange students from South Korea, got high, the suspect suddenly dragged the female companion back to his room in the dormitory and tried to sexually assault her.

The woman put up a fight and managed to break free. She then ran back to her room on the fourth floor, Ming Pao Daily reports.

But the suspect, who was not in his senses due to the effect of marijuana, gave a chase and went back to the fourth floor to look for her.

As he began searching, he broke into a room where he snatched a mobile phone from another female student.

Police later found marijuana in the suspect's room and arrested his roommate as well for possession of illegal drugs.

The female student, meanwhile, was sent to hospital.

A CUHK spokesman said the school was highly concerned about the incident and that it will deal with it seriously.

University authorities will fully cooperate with the police in their investigations, Ming Pao quoted the spokesman as saying.

Buying, selling and smoking marijuana are all illegal in Hong Kong and violators will likely face jail time and a heavy fine.

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TL/AC/RC