Candidate Park Jun-young: "Wife's Import of Expensive Ceramics Was an Inconsiderate Act"

Confirmation hearing on the 4th... "Firm response to Japan's nuclear wastewater discharge"

Park Jun-young, Nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Photo by Yonhap News

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Park Junyoung, nominee for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, on the 4th apologized regarding allegations of his wife’s illegal import and sale of expensive ceramics, stating, "I apologize for my thoughtless conduct that did not meet the expectations of the public."

At the National Assembly confirmation hearing held that day, Park said, "I would like to apologize once again," and explained, "I promise to actively review and take measures regarding the pointed issues."

It has been reported that during Park’s tenure as Minister-Counselor at the Korean Embassy in the UK from 2015 to 2018, his wife purchased a large quantity of ceramic ornaments and imported them without paying customs duties. Furthermore, there are suspicions that these were illegally sold domestically.

Regarding Japan’s decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean, Park emphasized, "We will continuously urge Japan for transparent information disclosure and safety verification, and thoroughly conduct radiation inspections on the marine environment and seafood, as well as crack down on the origin of imported seafood." He added, "We will also provide information related to the contaminated water promptly and accurately to prevent a decline in domestic seafood consumption," and stated, "We will respond firmly."

On the issue of fishing villages, Park said, "In the past five years, the number of fishing households and fishing population has decreased by more than 20%, putting coastal and fishing village areas at risk of extinction," and added, "We will actively respond to the issue of regional extinction and promote the future industrialization of fisheries."

Regarding the reconstruction of the shipping industry, he stated, "We will support the expansion of shipping capacity through the Korea Ocean Business Corporation and timely establish port infrastructure such as the construction of the Jinhae New Port."