A Seoul court has upheld an earlier decision by the justice ministry to deny naturalization to a foreign national over his past criminal record. According to legal sources Sunday, the Seoul Administrative Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by the foreigner, who had sought to overturn the ministry's rejection of his naturalization application. The applicant, whose nationality was not disclosed, had applied for a South Korean passport after marrying a South Korean citizen. After the couple divorced, the legal basis for his application changed, and the ministry rejected the request, citing his criminal record. The ministry ruled that the person failed to meet the "good conduct" requirement under the Nationality Act. The foreigner was once referred to juvenile protection proceedings for aggravated theft and was also fined for driving without a license. The person argued that despite his record, the justice ministry was too harsh in denying his naturalization application. However, the administrative court said he was a repeat offender over an extended period and his offenses could not be conside