KARA's agency apologizes over disputed illegal parking

KARA's Kang Ji-young (left), Nicole (second to left), Park Gyu-lee (center), Han Seung-yeon (second to right) and Gu Hara (right) pose together at a press conference held during their fifth mini-album "PANDORA" showcase at the Walkerhill Hotel located in Seoul, South Korea on August 22, 2012. [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

K-pop girl group KARA has issued a public apology after a controversy sparked online over a photo of the group's illegal parking snapped by a passerby.The group’s agency DSP Media wrote the apology on their official website on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. KST, a few hours after the picture of KARA's two vans parked in handicapped parking spots spread online.The official admitted their fault by writing, “after we checked with KARA’s road manager, we found that the two vans were parked in the handicapped parking spots for 15 minutes in Gongju expressway service area last Saturday.” “We apologize to people who might have experienced any inconvenience and fans who support KARA. We promise we’ll do everything to prevent such event from happening again."The five member group has been embroiled in a number of disputes since the release of their fifth-mini album "PANDORA" on August 22, including copying the design of GUCCI for their performance outfits and dodging a question from a local reporter asking about their political stance on Dokdo.Composed of Gu Hara, Han Seung-yeon, Park Gyu-lee, Kang Ji-young and Nicole, KARA made their debut with the first full-length album "The First Bloooooming" in 2007.※ Any copying, republication or redistribution of 10Asia's content is expressly prohibited without prior consent of 10Asia. Copyright infringement is subject to criminal and civil penalties.10 아시아 Reporter : Lee Hye Ji hjlee@10 아시아 Editor : Monica Suk monicasuk@<ⓒ즐거움의 공장 "10 아시아" (10.asiae.co.kr) 무단전재 배포금지>