Nominee Park Jun-young for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Resigns... "All My Fault"

"I Do Not Want to Burden the Appointing Authority and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries"

Park Jun-young, nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, is delivering an opening statement at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Park Jun-young, the nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries who was suspected of illegally importing and selling his wife's expensive ornaments, announced on the 13th, "I want to lay down the burden as the nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries today," expressing his intention to resign.

Park Jun-young issued a statement that day saying, "It is all my fault, and I once again offer my deep apologies," and made this announcement.

Park said, "Regarding the controversies raised about me, especially those related to the dishes brought after working at the British Embassy, I sincerely apologized to the public through the confirmation hearing process and a separate statement, and I have also explained the allegations faithfully," adding, "However, it is undeniable that such controversies did not meet the high moral standards expected by the public for a public office nominee."

He continued, "It is not what I want for my issues to become a burden to the appointing President and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries," and explained the reason for his resignation, saying, "I also believe that this incident should not affect the national tasks being promoted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries."

Finally, Park said, "I sincerely thank the President who nominated me and will continue to wish for the success of the Moon Jae-in administration until the end," and expressed, "I also deeply thank the family of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the public who supported and encouraged me."

Park was suspected of bringing in ornaments worth at least tens of millions of won without customs duties and illegally selling them at a cafe when returning from his post at the British Embassy. Regarding this, Park explained, "The items purchased by my spouse in the UK were used for home decoration and family life, and there was no intention to sell them at the time, nor were they highly valued as secondhand goods." Concerning the sale of some ornaments, he said, "I was not aware of the illegality," and added, "I will actively review and take measures regarding customs evasion and business registration issues."

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