(2nd LD) Park accepts PM's resignation over bribery scandal

(ATTN: ADDS Lee's quotes and more details in last 3 paras)

SEOUL, April 27 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye on Monday accepted Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo's offer to step down over a bribery scandal involving Lee and some of her key aides.

Lee expressed his intention to resign a week ago amid growing suspicions that he took 30 million won (US$28,000) from the late head of a mid-size construction firm while running for a parliamentary seat in 2013.

"President Park has formally accepted Prime Minister Lee's resignation," presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook said in a press briefing.

The resignation of the second-highest government official is the latest in a series of blows to the Park administration over the bribery scandal which also involves her former and incumbent chiefs of staff.

Lee took office two months ago after Park's other two choices for prime minister failed to win parliamentary approval amid ethical lapses.

Lee's stepdown may immediately lead to Park's search for the next prime minister.

Deputy Prime Minister Choi Kyoung-hwan will fill Lee's vacancy until a new prime minister is named.

The latest development came as the Park administration and the ruling party are roiled in the scandal which erupted because of a note left by the businessman, Sung Wan-jong.

Before he hanged himself earlier this month, Sung left behind the memo listing eight bigwig politicians and sums of money,
indicating the amount delivered to each.

Lee strongly denied the allegation, but the ruling Saenuri Party pressured him to step down. The country's main opposition party also threatened to impeach him over the bribery scandal.

Lee apologized for creating a stir in the country but said the truth will be revealed in the end.

"It is regrettable that much anxiety was caused (over the scandal)," Lee said in his farewell speech. "I have a heavy heart for leaving many things to be done to you and not completing the mission given to me."

pbr@yna.co.kr
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