KTO head offers to resign

By Lee Kyung-min

Byun Choo-suk

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) CEO Byun Choo-suk has offered to resign amid speculation about his turbulent relationships with senior culture ministry officials.

“Byun has tendered his resignation. He will be formally relieved of his position with an approval from President Park Geun-hye,” said an official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The KTO, which is supervised by the ministry, also issued a statement to confirm that.

His resignation comes amid rampant rumors that he has been at odds with ministry officials since he was named to the position in April of last year by President Park.

Byun, 59, a former visual art professor at Kookmin University, was a campaigner for Park during the 2012 presidential election.

Byun denied these rumors, saying he decided to resign due to poor health and it had nothing to do with the ministry.

“I know there are various rumors about me, but it is all rumors. I have nothing to say about them,” he said. “I will try my best to complete my work until I quit as the KTO head.”

His term had been scheduled to run until April 30, 2017.