South Korea PM steps down over illegal funding scandal
Print Edition
South Korean President Park Geun-hye accepted the resignation yesterday of her prime minister, who had offered to step down over an allegation that he took illegal funds from a businessman who committed suicide in a scandal that threatens to weaken Park.
Park, whose ruling Saenuri Party faces a general election early next year for control of the 300-seat parliament, has seen her public support rating dip below 40 percent in recent weeks.
The main opposition party has called for the dismissal of Park鈥檚 chief of staff and for an independent prosecutor to investigate claims made by the businessman, Sung Wan-jong, that he had given funds to Park鈥檚 aides and key members of her party.
Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo has denied he received campaign funds from the businessman, but pressure mounted for him to step down after news reports showed he had known Sung well.
That was despite his claim that he barely knew the construction company boss who was himself a former lawmaker and was close to politicians.
Yesterday as he departed, Lee apologized for the controversy but did not directly mention the allegation against him or repeat his denial.
鈥淭here is a lot I want to say but I will leave behind a void with the belief that the truth will one day surely be told,鈥 he told government officials at a departure ceremony.
Sung, who was under investigation for fraud and bribery, was found this month hanging by his necktie from a tree.
Park鈥檚 current and past chiefs of staff have denied accepting money from him. Park has not been personally implicated in the scandal.
Political contributions in excess of 100,000 won (US$93) were outlawed under a 2004 campaign finance law.
An opinion poll released yesterday put her support rating at 36.8 percent, sliding after recovering slightly in March.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
