Top ally of S.Korea's president quits amid graft scandal
Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:51 GMT
In this 2011 file photo, Korea Communications Commission Chairman Choi welcomes Google Chairman Schmidt before their meeting in Seoul REUTERS/Lee Jae Won
By Jack Kim
SEOUL, Jan 27 (Reuters) - A high-profile political ally of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak quit on Friday over involvement in the latest corruption scandal to hit the government ahead of elections this year.
It is a blow to Lee and his conservative ruling party, once seen as sure-fire winners in parliamentary and presidential polls this year, but now lagging the left-leaning opposition.
In his resignation as chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, Choi See-joong admitted to no wrongdoing personally or by his associates.
Lee, in his last year in office, has been dogged by allegations of corruption by family members or aides.
Choi has been called Lee's "political mentor," having played a key role in his sweeping 2007 election win that ended two consecutive left-of-centre presidencies.
He was rewarded with post heading the powerful communications commission from the start of Lee's administration in 2008 and was the architect of a controversial policy realigning the country's media industry by issuing broadcast licences to conservative newspaper companies.
"My resignation may seem sudden, but it is time for me to leave," Choi told a packed news conference. He stressed no formal charges have been brought against aides named in an allegation to pay off politicians.
"But talk is a frightening thing. Rumours are often mistaken as something more plausible than reality."
There were allegations that one of Choi's aides gave cash to MPs to pass a media bill.
Despite years of efforts to clean up the country's image as a placed where bribes and backroom dealings are prerequisites to getting business done, graft scandals are still a regular feature of bitter politicking ahead of elections.
Voters go to the polls to elect both a new parliament and the president for the first time in 20 years, and a series of corruption cases have put the conservatives at risk of losing control of both. (Editing by Jonathan Thatcher)
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