▲ Kang Do-hyung, the nominee for South Korea's new oceans minister, speaks as he arrives at his office in Seoul on Dec. 7, 2023. (Yonhap)

oceans minister nominee-apology

Oceans minister nominee apologizes for criminal record

SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- Oceans Minister nominee Kang Do-hyung apologized Friday for his criminal record of drunk driving and violence.

In 2004, Kang was given a 1.5 million-won (US$1,148) fine for driving under the influence on the southern resort island of Jeju, according to the report by the Korea National Police Agency submitted to Rep. Kim Doo-gwan of the main opposition Democratic Party.

The nominee was also fined 300,000 won in 1999 for committing a violent act, the report showed.

"I deeply regret my immature judgment and actions when I was young. It is all my fault, and I express my sincere apology to the people as a candidate for a Cabinet member position," he said in a statement.

Kang was named the minister of oceans and fisheries earlier this week to replace Cho Seung-hwan.

As a veteran marine science expert, he currently serves as the chief of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology.

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