Yonhap reports that Korean ambassador to the United States Hong Seok-hyun has expressed his intention to resign. In a telephone call to Cheong Wa Dae Chief of Staff Kim Woo-sik, Hong said he was prepared to resign due to public criticism owing to the release of an illegally taped conversation between him and a high-ranking Samsung official that, well, didn’t make him (or Samsung) look good.
Suffice it to say this little matter may present a barrier to Hong’s dream of becoming UN Secretary-General, although some might argue that now tainted with ethical questions in connection to dirty dealings, he should fit into the UN just fine.
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No flippin’ way! Korean politicians are in cahoots with Korean businessmen and Korean journalists? I’m SHOCKED! My favorite line from the Hangookilbo–”But even that (illegal wiretapping) appears to pale momentarily before the immoral and hypocritical content of the dialogue.”
Hmm. I wonder if this is a Korean version of a “Rove leak” or just plain old vanilla GNP pulling the old strings at the KCIA. Woops did I say KCIA? i mean NIS.
Rumour has it that Lee Hak-soo spends heftily - hundreds of millions of won at a go (all in cash, of course) - at a certain jewelry store in Apgujung. Not on himself, of course, which is why this is not likely to go very far.