Park Jun-young, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Nominee, "Wife Stops Running Cafe"

Park Jun-young, nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, appeared at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 4th and responded to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Park Junyoung, nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, expressed his intention to suspend the operation of his wife's cafe, which is under suspicion of illegally importing and selling high-priced ceramics.

At the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee on the 4th, Park responded to a question from Kim Youngjin of the Democratic Party regarding the cafe, saying, "My wife has been having a hard time recently due to the controversy and does not intend to operate the cafe," and added, "We are looking for a successor."

Park is suspected of his wife purchasing a large quantity of ceramic ornaments while he served as the Minister-Counselor at the Korean Embassy in the UK from 2015 to 2018, bringing them into the country without paying customs duties, and illegally selling them through the cafe.

Before the hearing, he apologized, saying, "I apologize for my thoughtless behavior that did not meet the expectations of the public," and promised, "I will actively review and take measures regarding the pointed issues."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.