(3rd LD) New police investigation chief offers to quit over son’s bullying controversy

(ATTN: RECASTS 5th para with official response from the Presidential Office)

SEOUL, 25 Feb. (Yonhap) — A prosecutor-turned-lawyer appointed to head the National Bureau of Investigation offered to resign on Saturday, just a day before taking office, amid a bullying controversy involving his son at school.

Chung Sun-sin, named new leader the day before, found himself in hot water after it was belatedly revealed that his son had verbally abused a classmate for eight months in high school and was ordered to change schools.

“Many have worried about my son’s problem, and I have come to the conclusion that I cannot take such a serious responsibility as head of the National Bureau of Investigation with this defect,” he said. declared. he said in a statement.

“I again apologize to the victim and his parents for what my son did,” he added.

The presidential office later said it had withdrawn the nomination.

Although Chung was officially nominated by Chairman Yoon Suk Yeol, he will step down by withdrawing his candidacy for the position, as his term has not officially started yet.

Chung’s decision comes amid mounting pressure from the public and politicians despite his apology made earlier in the day.

With Chung’s resignation, the position will remain vacant for the time being, as Nam Gu-jun’s term expires on Saturday.

Chung had worked for the procuratorate for about 20 years and headed the branch of the Justice Institute in Yongin, 40 kilometers south of Seoul. He was recommended by National Police Agency Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun.