South Korean President Kim Dae-jung resigned from the ruling party on Monday, stepping aside ahead of elections and as opponents criticize the 77-year-old leader over an influence-peddling controversy involving his three sons.
Kim's departure from the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) comes weeks before the World Cup soccer finals start on May 31 and local elections in June.
South Korean presidents have traditionally stepped aside ahead of elections, though Kim's departure follows controversy and a bout in hospital to recover from fatigue. Kim formally resigned as leader of the party last November.
South Korea will select a new president in December with rules barring the incumbent from running for re-election.
"I apologize again for the controversies involving my sons," Kim said in a statement read by chief secretary Park Jie-won.
"Please wait for the outcome as a thorough investigation is under way."
Kim plans to focus on successfully co-hosting the World Cup with Japan as well as the Asian Games set to open in the port city of Pusan in late September, Park said.
Kim's sons have been linked to three influence-peddling cases involving business associates who are under arrest. The sons -- Kim Hong-il, Kim Hong-up and Kim Hong-gul -- have not been charged and the president has not been accused of wrongdoing.
But allegations of kickbacks and first-family ties to shady businessmen have dominated headlines less than a month before the World Cup soccer finals, a showcase event for Kim whose five-year term formally ends in February 2003.
His party is also gearing up for local elections on June 13 to elect provincial governors and mayors in large cities.
(China Daily May 6, 2002)
