South Korean Justice Minister,
Cho Kuk, on Monday resigned
over an escalating corruption
scandal barely a month after
being appointed.
The opposition had accused
him of misconduct as his
family was being investigated
on allegations of questionable
financial transactions.
Kuk, 54, said in a statement
that he would resign and not
be a burden to President
Moon Jae-In who had
appointed him in September.
Jae-In accepted his
resignation.
Jae-In, however, apologised
for causing national discord
over Kuk’s appointment.
Earlier, tens of thousands of
protesters took to the streets
to demand Kuk’s dismissal as
well as Jae-In’s resignation.
Kuk’s family was being
investigated on suspicion of
investing in a holding
company suspected of
involvement in market
manipulation and illegal
transactions.
Liberal groups had spoken in
support of Kuk as the
architect of Jae-In’s plans to
reform the National
Prosecutor’s office, however,
conservatives considered him
unqualified for the position.
Young-po Reporters 