South Korea's Unification Minister Lee Jong Seok offered to resign Wednesday over what he called "political wrangling" over the government's handling of North Korea's first nuclear test two weeks ago, DPA REPORTED Lee, who has held the post since February, said he thought someone who is more capable should takeover at a time when efforts for peace and security on the peninsula have been "recklessly politicized," he was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency. "I hope my resignation will stop political wrangling and reduce the president's burden in carrying out state affairs," Lee said. Lee offered his resignation to President Roh Moo Hyun during a lunch meeting on Tuesday., according to a presidential spokesman. Criticized for his too-soft attitude toward Pyongyang, Lee defended his engagement policies on Wednesday, saying his resignation does not imply he or the government mishandled the North Korean nuclear issue. "I do not believe I have made any serious mistakes while carrying out North Korea policy as unification minister," said Lee. "I am confident about the results our North Korea engagement policy has achieved." The government has come under pressure since North Korea's first nuclear test on October 9 to stop economic co-operation projects with the communist country. On Monday, Defence Minister Yoon Kwang Ung offered his resignation to President Roh. Roh is expected to accept the offers from Lee and Yoon as he carries out a shakeup of all security-related ministers in his cabinet. Foreign Minister Ban Ki Moon, the next United Nations secretary-general, will step down in mid-November and Roh is likely to pick his successor in early November. Moon begins his UN job on January 1.
