Tax chief offers to resign amid bribery scandal

(ATTN: ADDS details from 4th para)
SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's tax chief has expressed his intention to
resign from the post, his spokesperson said Friday, amid allegations that he
offered bribes in return for career favors.
Han Sang-ryule, the head of the National Tax Service (NTS), is suspected of
giving a high-priced painting to the wife of his predecessor, Jeon Goon-pyo, in
early 2007 with the aim of receiving a promotion. He has denied the allegation.
"He officially expressed his intention to resign Thursday night to the
presidential office," NTS spokesman Kim Kyung-su told reporters.
The president will accept the resignation at an early date and will start the
process of filling the post immediately, according to Chong Wa Dae officials.
The bribery allegation emerged after the wife of the former tax chief Jeon
recently put on auction the painting that she claimed to have received from Han.
The painting by the late abstract artist Choi Wook-kyung was estimated to be
worth around 30 million won (US$22,000).
Han was also reprimanded recently by the presidential office for playing golf
with close associates of President Lee's brother last year.
His resignation will likely deal a further blow to the tax agency's reputation
after his two predecessors, including Jeon, lost their jobs in recent years on
bribery charges.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)