Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, has issued an apology regarding a past drunk driving conviction.
On September 4, Kim's confirmation hearing preparation team released a statement conveying his position.
Kim stated, "I deeply reflect on my actions and sincerely apologize to the public," adding, "Drunk driving is a wrongdoing that cannot be excused for any reason." He further remarked, "As a lawyer at that time, I should have acted with greater responsibility."
The office of People Power Party lawmaker Park Soo-min raised concerns the previous day about Kim's history of being penalized for drunk driving.
According to documents released by Park's office, Kim, a former judge, served at the Suwon District Court from February 2006 to February 2008. After retiring, he was caught driving under the influence in July 2008 and was fined 700,000 won by the Suwon District Court.
Kim, who has been nominated as the second Minister of Justice under the Lee Jae-myung administration, is currently embroiled in various controversies ahead of his confirmation hearing.
Upon arriving at the confirmation hearing preparation office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Kim addressed his past involvement in a group advocating for the dismissal of charges against President Lee, stating, "The Minister of Justice does not have direct authority to dismiss charges, nor do I intend to direct the Prosecutor General in that regard."
Additionally, regarding allegations that he solicited clinical trials from the head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2021 at the request of an acquaintance, Kim asserted, "The prosecution conducted a thorough investigation over three years with more than ten prosecutors involved, but ultimately decided not to indict, so there is nothing to be concerned about."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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