Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho, who drew attention when his muscular physique was revealed, was found to have a missing front tooth.
On the 2nd, the Justice Ministry's official YouTube channel posted a video showing Minister Jeong visiting Jeongsim Girls' Middle and High School (Anyang Juvenile Reformatory), affiliated with the ministry and located in Anyang, Gyeonggi, on Aug. 26.
In the video, after taking part in a baking and pastry practice, Minister Jeong smiles as students applaud, saying, "You did very well." At that moment, it became apparent that part of Minister Jeong's front tooth was missing, and Minister Jeong said, "I shouldn't smile. They told me not to smile because my tooth is missing."
Minister Jeong did not separately explain why his front tooth was missing, but the video carried a caption saying it was due to "heavy workload such as prosecution reform."
Because of the missing tooth, Minister Jeong was reportedly wearing a dental aid such as dentures when he appeared at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit recently.
Tooth loss among senior public officials has occurred from time to time in the past. President Lee Jae-myung said during a special lecture for public officials at the presidential office on Jul. 31 that his teeth "loosened (from the pressure)" while talking about the process of negotiating U.S.-Korea tariff talks. Former President Moon Jae-in also recalled in his book "Moon Jae-in's Destiny" that "while serving as senior presidential secretary for civil affairs during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, I was so overworked that I had ten teeth pulled."
In May, amid the presidential election season, Minister Jeong appeared on a YouTube channel and said that despite being in his 60s he consistently does weight training, releasing a photo showing his muscles.