S. Korea president-elect stresses 'clean government' after losing PM nominee

SEOUL (AFP) - South Korean president-elect Park Geun Hye stressed the need for "clean government" today, the day after her nominee for prime minister embarrassingly withdrew ahead of his confirmation hearings.

Kim Yong Joon, 74, a former Constitutional Court chief and current head of Park's transition committee, stepped aside after media reports raised suspicions about his accumulated family wealth.

Allegations were made that he had benefited from a series of unethical real-estate deals in the 1970s and 80s, while other questions were raised over the exemptions his two sons received from South Korea's mandatory military service.

"I decided to resign as the prime minister nominee as I have caused concerns to the people and trouble to the president-elect," Kim said in a statement yesterday.