South Korea politicians resign over misconduct

Earlier this month, President Lee Myung-bak named Kim Tae-ho, a former provincial governor, as his new prime minister in part of a Cabinet reshuffle.

The opposition party said Mr Kim was unfit for the post, saying he lied about his ties with a businessman at the centre of a bribery scandal during a parliamentary hearing last week confirming him in the post.

Mr Kim said yesterday he decided to resign because he did not want to become a burden to Mr Lee.

Mr Lee's choice for the culture minister and the knowledge economy minister also offered to resign.

Mr Lee said he would accept their resignations.