Kim Seung-won, nominee for Minister of the Ministry of Justice, heads to the confirmation hearing preparation office at the Jeokseon Hyundai Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 3rd. /Courtesy of News1

Minister nominee Kim Seung-won of the Ministry of Justice on the 4th expressed a position on being punished in the past for drunk driving, saying, "I deeply reflect and sincerely apologize to the public."

Kim's confirmation hearing preparation team said in a notice distributed that day that "drunk driving is a wrongdoing that cannot be tolerated for any reason," and stated accordingly. It added, "At the time, as an attorney, I should have conducted myself with even greater strictness."

Kim was sentenced to a fine of 700,000 won by the Suwon District Court in July 2008 for drunk driving. Kim had worked as a judge, then resigned in February 2008 after completing his service at the Suwon District Court and opened a law practice.

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