Park Ki-young, Vice Minister of Industry, on Allegations of Receiving Money and Entertainment: "My Fault... Apologize for Causing Trouble"

Ministry of Industry Plans Independent Fact-Finding Investigation and Comprehensive Survey of Affiliated Organizations

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Park Ki-young, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, apologized for the allegations of accepting money and entertainment that arose during the National Assembly audit. In this regard, Moon Seung-wook, Minister of Industry, announced that an internal investigation will be conducted and measures to prevent recurrence will be established.

On the 20th, at the National Assembly audit held by the Industry, Trade, Small and Medium Venture Business Committee, Park, responding to the demand of Lee Joo-hwan, a member of the People Power Party, to clarify his position on the allegations of accepting money and entertainment, said, "I apologize for causing controversy due to my negligence." He added, "As requested, we will form an internal investigation committee within the Ministry of Industry to investigate the facts and prepare future measures," and "I will sincerely participate in the investigation."

Earlier, on the 5th, during the Ministry of Industry audit, Lee alleged that in February 2015, Park met with SK E&S officials, an energy company, at a nightlife establishment in Gangnam, Seoul, and accepted alcohol worth approximately 3.5 million KRW and gift certificates worth about 1 million KRW. Lee claimed that until Park transferred to the Office for Government Policy Coordination in December 2014, he served as head of the Energy Demand Management Policy Division at the Ministry of Industry and provided significant assistance to SK, including approving construction plans.

Regarding this, Park explained, "At that time, I was assigned to a different position at the Prime Minister's Office," and "It was a meeting where we did not discuss work-related matters but talked about the general status of the district heating industry."

Meanwhile, Minister Moon Seung-wook responded to Lee's demand for an internal investigation by the Ministry of Industry, saying, "We will do so," and "We will oversee the entire Ministry of Industry and its affiliated organizations to prevent misunderstandings by the public or any unfortunate incidents."