Feb 22 β€’ 01:53 UTC πŸ‡°πŸ‡· Korea Hankyoreh (KR)

Former Forest Agency Head Kim In-ho Almost Hit a Pedestrian at a Crosswalk After Drunk Driving Incident

Former Forest Agency Head Kim In-ho was dismissed from his position following a drunk driving incident where he nearly hit a pedestrian at a crosswalk.

Kim In-ho, the former head of South Korea's Forest Agency, was dismissed from his position after a drunk driving incident on the night of October 20. He was reported to have run a red light and collided with two vehicles in Seongnam, South Korea. Disturbingly, CCTV footage revealed that he almost struck a pedestrian in the crosswalk who was crossing legally. Fortunately, the pedestrian noticed the approaching vehicle in time and managed to escape injury. Reports indicate that Kim's blood alcohol concentration was at a level that would warrant license suspension.

In the wake of the incident, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol took immediate action by dismissing Kim In-ho on October 21, emphasizing that the decision was made due to Kim's serious violation of laws which caused public concern. The Blue House stated that the administration is committed to maintaining strict discipline within the civil service to meet the expectations of the citizens. This reflects the government's policy to hold high-ranking officials accountable for legal infractions and to ensure integrity within public institutions.

Kim In-ho's appointment had already sparked controversy, as he had self-nominated through a public recommendation system introduced by President Yoon’s administration just over six months prior to his dismissal. Before his tenure at the Forest Agency, Kim held several significant roles, including vice chair of policy for the Democratic Party and director of an environmental education institute. His rapid downfall from a prominent government position underscores broader issues of accountability and governance in South Korea's political landscape.

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