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April 28, 2015

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South Korea PM steps down over illegal funding scandal

Source: AP | April 28, 2015, Tuesday | 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’s 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’s 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.

“There 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,” 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’s 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.

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