S. Korean minister resigns over North's nuke test
South Korea's unification minister, in charge of relations with North Korea, offered to resign to take responsibility for the North's nuclear test, the presidential office said Wednesday. Lee Jong-seok expressed his intention to resign to President Roh Moo-hyun on Tuesday, an official at Roh's office said. The official did not say whether Roh would accept the resignation. "Faced with North Korea's nuclear test, I apologize to the people and to the president," Lee was quoted as telling reporters Wednesday. "I don't think I made a big mistake in carrying out North Korean policy," said Lee, a strong supporter of engagement with North Korea whose critics accuse him of being pro-Pyongyang. "I also have a firm faith in what the engagement policy has achieved. But on the occasion of the North's nuclear test, I thought that a more capable person should take this job." It was not clear if the president would accept Yoon's resignation. Roh also has to find a new foreign minister, as Ban Ki-moon has been elected the new UN secretary-general.