A+ A-

S. Korea Pres. accepts PM's resignation over bribery scandal

TOKYO, April 27 (KUNA) -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Monday accepted Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo's offer to step down over a bribery scandal involving Lee and some of president's key aides, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Lee expressed his intention to resign a week ago amid growing suspicions that he took KRW 30 million (USD 28,000) from the late head of a mid-size construction firm while running for a parliamentary seat in 2013.
"President Park has formally accepted Prime Minister Lee's resignation," a presidential spokesman was quoted as saying at a press briefing in Beijing.
The resignation of the second-highest government official is the latest in a series of blows to the Park administration over the bribery scandal which also involves her former and incumbent chiefs of staff.
Lee took office two months ago after Park's other two choices for prime minister failed to win parliamentary approval amid ethical lapses. Deputy Prime Minister Choi Kyoung-hwan will fill Lee's vacancy until a new prime minister is named. (end) mk.mt