South Korea: PM nominee stands down in ethics row

The nominees to be South Korea’s prime minister and two other Cabinet members resigned amid growing controversy over their ethical standards and alleged 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 is unfit for the post, saying he lied about his ties with a businessman at the centre of a bribery scandal during a parliamentary confirmation hearing last week.

Mr Kim said today 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 will accept their resignations.