Prime Minister-designate Kim Tae-ho gave up the nomination Sunday morning, amid growing political conflict over his ethical qualifications.
Culture Minister-nominee Shin Jae-min and Knowledge-Economy Minister-designate Lee Jae-hoon also offered to resign, after accusations of ethical violations.
Shin and Lee were under criticism for phony residence registration and speculative investment in real estate, respectively.
"I am giving up the designation as I think that I should no longer be an obstacle to President Lee Myung-bak in his carrying out of state affairs," Kim, 47, said in a nationally televised announcement.
He said that without people’s trust, he could not do anything even if he becomes the prime minister.
A Cheong Wa Dae official said selection of another nominees will begin immediately.
Kim, the former governor of South Gyeongsang Province, Shin and Lee were nominated to the posts in the Aug. 8 Cabinet reshuffle that also affected five ministers and two minister-level officials.
Kim was accused of repeatedly backtracking his statements at the parliamentary hearings that vetted his qualifications for the post.
He was in the hot seat over his ties with former Taekwang CEO Park Yeon-cha, who was suspected of giving him kickbacks. In late 2008, Park was arrested on charges of tax evasion and alleged insider trading. He tried to downplay his relationship with Park, testifying he didn’t know Park at all initially. Later, he said he got to know him “after 2007.” But a photo soon surfaced showing him attending a business meeting in 2006, with Park standing next to him.