Lee Accepts Aide’s Resignation
By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak accepted the resignation of Park Mi-suk, senior presidential secretary for social affairs and welfare, who allegedly engaged in real estate speculation and plagiarism.
Lee has yet to appoint a replacement. The presidential office said it is looking into backgrounds of about 10 candidates.
``As Park was the only female senior secretary, her successor may be a woman,'' a Cheong Wa Dae official said.
Park became a target of public criticism for alleged false statements she made to avoid a possible backlash against her alleged speculative land deals.
According to an asset disclosure of presidential secretaries made public last Thursday, Park's family purchased 1,353 square meters of farm land worth more than 185 million won in Incheon under her husband's name six years ago.
Under the current law, those who purchase agricultural land must submit a farming plan and also cultivate the land themselves or lease it through a state agency.
While Park denied every allegation, opposition parties demanded that she step down.