Lee’s Aide Resigns Over Disgraced Nominee
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Chung Tong-gi has tendered his resignation for recommending an "unqualified" person to President Lee Myung-bak for the position of prosecutor general, a presidential spokesman said Wednesday.
The resignation came one day after Chun Sung-gwan decided to withdraw his nomination for the post over corruption allegations. President Lee accepted his decision at a meeting with senior presidential secretaries earlier in the day, spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said.
Chun was the fifth public-office nominee disgraced for improper financial dealings since President Lee's administration was inaugurated in February last year.
"Secretary Chung apologized for failing to verify the qualifications of Chun and offered to resign at the meeting," spokesman Lee said. "President Lee said nothing about Chung's resignation. Lee has not decided yet on whether to accept it."
Sources from Chung Wa Dae said the President was upset about Chun's lying at a National Assembly confirmation hearing Monday.
"The prosecution should investigate those who lie and commit crimes. It is unacceptable that Chun was caught lying at the hearing," Lee was quoted as saying during the meeting. "I have no choice but to withdraw the nomination because this is an issue directly linked to the people's trust of the government."
At the hearing, Chun was grilled about money he "borrowed" from a businessman to buy an expensive apartment and his trips with the businessman to play golf overseas.
Flight records showed he took the same airplanes on the same days as the businessman, but he lied saying he did not remember him, nor did he know him well.
"President Lee decided to donate his personal wealth because he believes high-ranking officials should lead efforts to boost the moral standards of society," spokesman Lee said. "In this regard, the President said Chun's lying at the hearing was unforgivable."
Previously, nominees Nam Ju-hong for unification minister, Park Eun-kyung for environment minister and Lee Choon-ho for gender equality minister withdrew over illicit tax exemptions and irregularities related to real estate dealings.