Minister Yoon Jin-sik Resigns Over “Buan Incident”

Yoon Jin-sik, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy, resigned on December 12, assuming the responsibility for the “failure” of the policy regarding the selection of the site to build a nuclear waste disposal facility.

“The decision to select Wido, Buan-gun in North Jeolla Province as the site to build a nuclear waste disposal facility caused quite a confusion. The minister is responsible for this, and I’ll resign from my post,” Yoon said.

“The government failed to reflect the Buan residents’ opinions well,” Yoon once again apologized to the residents of Buan.

“Early next week, Cheong Wa Dae will decide whether or not to accept the resignation. In case of acceptance, Cheong Wa Dae will select his successor at the same time.” Yoon Tae-young, Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson, announced, adding, “The decision-making process, however, will be separated from the Cabinet reshuffling, which is expected to be held at the end of this year.

After passing the 12th Administration Examination, Yoon took up public office at the previous administration’s Ministry of Finance. He passed through the positions of financial secretary to the president, president of the Office of Customs Administration, and deputy minister of Finance and Economy. With the start of the Roh Moo-hyun administration, he took the office as Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy.

Eun-Woo Lee Jeong-Hun Kim libra@donga.com jnghn@donga.com