South Korea: Justice Minister hands in resignation amid scandal

On October 14, the South Korean Justice Minister Cho Kuk has resigned. The resignation comes amid accusations of alleged financial crimes and academic favours that have been surrounding his family, which the Minister has denied. The scandal has reportedly rocked the Seoul's liberal government and spurred huge protests. Crowds supporting Kuk and his critics have marched in South Korea's capital in recent weeks as the scandal has deepened the country's political divide. The prosecutors have been investigating Cho's university professor's wife, brother, and other relatives over the allegations of dubious financial investments, fraud and fake credentials for his daughter that may have helped her enter a top university in Seoul and a medical school in Busan. 

“I concluded that I should no longer burden the president and the government with issues surrounding my family,” Cho said in an emailed statement. “I think the time has come that the completion of efforts to reform the prosecution would only be possible if I step down from my position.” 

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Prez Moon Jae-in criticised

Cho claimed in a statement that he is offering to resign to reduce the burden on President Moon Jae-in. The Minjoo party and Cho's supporters have reportedly occupied in front of a Seouls prosecutors office for the fourth weekend. South Korea's main opposition party reportedly called for Cho's resignation offer and criticized the South Korean president for causing turmoil with a divisive appointment. The controversy has affected the popularity of the ruling liberal party in recent polls. The scandal over Cho has the country facing widening inequality. It has also tarnished the image of the South Korean President, who vowed to restore faith in fairness and justice after replacing President Park Geun-Hye. 

“Is President Moon Jae-in listening to people’s voices only after his and his ruling party’s approval ratings face the danger of a nosedive?” the conservative Liberty Korea Party said in a statement. 

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(With inputs from AP)