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An embattled chief prosecutor expressed his intention to resign on Friday, a prosecution office spokesman said, following allegations that he had a child through an extramarital affair.
The Chosun Ilbo, the country's largest-circulation daily, published an article last Friday alleging that Prosecutor General Chae Dong-wook fathered an illegitimate son in 2002.
"I want to once again emphasize that the report regarding my personal matter is groundless," Chae was quoted as saying by the spokesman Koo Bon-sun, adding that Chae was sorry for failing to complete his term.
Chae took office in April for a two-year term after his predecessor, Prosecutor General Han Sang-dae, resigned over a string of high-profile scandals within the organization.
Chae's offer of resignation came shortly after the justice minister ordered an inspection into the allegations.
"There was an urgent need to promote stability of the prosecution office and to reveal the truth as soon as possible," a justice ministry official said.
It marks the first time that a justice minister has ordered an inspection into the country's top prosecutor over a scandal involving a personal matter. (Yonhap)
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