SEOUL (AP):
SOUTH KOREAN Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan quit yesterday for dereliction of duty after he partook in something many South Koreans would rather be doing than work: playing golf.
Lee Hae-chan had faced pressure since a March 1 golf match on a national holiday that coincided with the start of a nationwide walkout by railway workers. His demise was delayed while President Roh Moo-hyun was on a trip to Africa, but Lee offered to step down as soon as the president returned yesterday.
Roh accepted Lee's resignation later after urging from ruling Uri Party leaders to defuse the scandal ahead of May local elections.
It was not the first time Lee was caught clubs-in-hand when critics said he should have been behind his desk.
He was golfing in April 2005 when a wildfire raged across parts of the country and destroyed a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple.
