Culture minister sorry for foul language in parliament

SEOUL, Oct. 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top culture official apologized Sunday for bursting into a fit of rage at a recent parliamentary hearing and swearing in front of journalists taking his photo.

"I deeply apologize for causing concern to the nation and journalists and showing
inappropriate behavior as a public official," Yoo In-chon, a former top actor who
now heads the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said at a press
conference.
Yoo, 57, fired an angry spate of foul language at the National Assembly on
Thursday after an opposition lawmaker described him and the Cabinet as
"underlings" to President Lee Myung-bak.
A ruling party legislator approached Yoo to soothe the minister, who was
apparently displeased over the comment, triggering a volley of flashes from photo
journalists' cameras.
An enraged Yoo stood up and told journalists to cease taking photos, muttering
curse words as he did so. The scene was widely broadcast and printed over the
last few days.
"During the hearing, I heard a comment that anyone would have felt offended by,"
said Yoo, referring to the remark by Lee Jong-kul of the main opposition
Democratic Party. "I failed to suppress my anger and allowed such unsuitable
behavior and words to come out."
A group of photo journalists said Sunday they will ask for a separate apology
from Yoo, one of the few remaining members from the first Cabinet after President
Lee took office in February.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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