Education minister nominee faulted for high DUI blood alcohol level

Education Minister nominee Choi Kyo-jin / Yonhap

Education Minister nominee Choi Kyo-jin had a blood alcohol level high enough to warrant license revocation when he was caught drunk driving in 2003, an opposition lawmaker said Friday, questioning his qualifications as the top education policymaker.

Choi, superintendent of the Sejong City Office of Education, was nominated to become the education minister in a Cabinet reshuffle on Aug. 13.

According to police data released by Rep. Kim Meen-geon of the main opposition People Power Party, Choi was caught drunk driving by police on a road in the central city of Daejeon in the wee hours of Oct. 17, 2003. His blood alcohol level was measured at 0.187 percent at that time, far exceeding the then license revocation level of 0.1 percent.

Choi was sentenced by a court to a fine of 2 million won ($1,440) and had his license revoked that year. Under the strengthened revised law that took effect in 2018, a driver's license is suspended when their blood alcohol level is 0.03 percent or higher and is revoked when the level is 0.08 percent or higher.

"Driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of 0.187 percent is a serious crime that can take anyone's life," Kim said. "He was supposed to be a role model for the education community, but his DUI record disqualifies him from being a candidate for the education minister."