South Korea's minister on North to resign, reports say

SEOUL - South Korea's point man on North Korea has offered to resign, South Korean media reported on Wednesday, the third national security minister to be replaced soon if the offer is accepted.

Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok, a North Korean expert, has been criticised for not being tough enough against Pyongyang, which conducted its first nuclear test on October 9 defying international warnings and shocking the world.

Lee made the offer to resign to President Roh Moo-hyun on Tuesday, the reports said. The presidential Blue House and Unification Ministry declined to immediately confirm the reports or comment on whether Roh would accept the offer.

South Korean Defence Minister Yoon Kwang-ung has also offered to resign, a Blue House official said on Tuesday. Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon is expected to be replaced soon after being selected the next secretary-general of the United Nations.

- REUTERS