Yoo Sang-im, nominee for Minister of Science and ICT (photo), acknowledged and apologized for the allegations of false address registration involving his children.
On the 8th, during the confirmation hearing at the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, Yoo responded to the criticism that his eldest and second sons had registered false addresses in the Gangnam 8 school district by saying, "I am sorry that things happened as they appear."
Yoo explained, "Since I lived abroad, moving from the U.S. to Japan and then back to Korea, my eldest son had considerable difficulty adapting," adding, "There was no choice but to transfer him during middle school."
He also said, "My second son went to the U.S. in the fifth grade of elementary school and immediately entered middle school, so he did not graduate from elementary school in Korea," and "After returning to Korea, he had adaptation issues, so we had no choice but to transfer him."
He stated, "Parents know that things do not always go as they wish regarding their children," and responded, "The purpose was not to send my eldest and second sons to prestigious schools, but simply to change their environment."
He emphasized, "My eldest son dreamed of becoming a dancer, and my second son aspired to be a chef," adding, "I never sent my children to private academies after middle school."
When further questioned, Yoo explained, "My eldest son faced bullying and difficult times after coming to Korea, and in middle school, he associated with inattentive students and was often reprimanded by teachers," adding, "Since my son wanted to transfer officially, I agreed to the transfer."
He continued, "After my second son returned to Korea, I noticed he was somewhat mischievous and was frequently criticized, though I was unaware of this at home," and said, "A teacher suggested transferring him, so I had no choice but to proceed."
Regarding the apartment in Eunma, Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where the second son was registered but did not actually reside, Yoo said it was a rental home of one of his three younger siblings. When asked which sibling, he replied, "The sibling you know." Yoo is the older brother of Yoo Sang-beom, a member of the People Power Party, and actor Yoo Oh-sung.
When asked whether false address registration in the Gangnam 8 school district was appropriate given public sentiment, despite having no other options, he answered, "The addresses available for transfer were my maternal grandfather's and my sibling's (home)."
Regarding criticism that such false address registration could be grounds for disqualification as a ministerial nominee, he said, "It is difficult to acknowledge that to that extent."
Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers also questioned Yoo about his eldest son's evasion of military service and illegal stay issues. During this process, the eldest son's illness was not disclosed to protect privacy, and the confirmation hearing was switched to a closed session.
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