President Lee Jae Myung's office announced on February 21 that it dismissed Korea Forest Service Minister Kim In-ho for committing a serious unlawful act in violation of existing laws. Police confirmed that Kim has been booked on charges of driving under the influence. The incident occurred in Seongnam's Bundang district.
President Lee Jae Myung's office announced on February 21, 2026, that it had dismissed Kim In-ho, the minister of the Korea Forest Service. The office stated, "We have found that the minister of the Korea Forest Service caused trouble by committing a serious violation to existing laws, and decided to dismiss him from the post." It did not elaborate on the specific law violated but warned that it would react sternly to any violations of law by high-ranking officials going forward.
Later in the day, police confirmed they have booked Kim on charges of driving under the influence. According to the Bundang Police Station in Gyeonggi Province, Kim is accused of ramming into a bus and a car while drunk driving at an intersection in the Bundang district of Seongnam at around 10:50 p.m. on Monday. He reportedly ignored traffic lights before the collision. No injuries were reported, and Kim's blood alcohol concentration was at a level warranting a license suspension.
"We plan to investigate the exact details of the incident once we coordinate when to summon the suspect," the police said. A former environment professor, Kim was nominated to the position in August after serving as the vice chair of the ruling Democratic Party's policy committee.
The incident is expected to spark discussions on legal compliance among high-ranking officials.
