South Korea's tax chief has expressed his intention to resign from the post, his spokesperson said Friday, amid allegations that he offered bribes in return for career favors.
Han Sang-ryule, the head of the National Tax Service (NTS), is suspected of giving a high-priced painting to the wife of his predecessor, Jeon Goon-pyo, in early 2007 in what appears to be aimed at getting promoted. He has denied the allegation.
"He officially expressed his intention to resign Thursday night to the presidential office," NTS spokesman Kim Kyung-su was quoted as saying.
President Lee Myung-bak will accept the resignation at an early date and will start the process of filling the post immediately, according to Chong Wa Dae officials.
The bribery allegation emerged after the wife of the former tax chief Jeon recently put on auction the painting that she claimed to have received from Han. The painting by the late abstract artist Choi Wook-kyung was estimated to be worth around 30 million won ($22,000).
Han was also reprimanded recently by the presidential office for playing golf with close associates of President Lee's brother last year.
His resignation will likely deal a further blow to the tax agency's reputation after his two predecessors, including Jeon, lost their jobs in recent years on bribery charges.