International Olympic Committee Vice President Kim Un-yong, humiliated by criminal allegations against him, resigned as national lawmaker and world taekwondo chief yesterday.
Kim has been investigated by South Korean prosecutors on allegations that he took kickbacks from former South Korean Olympic officials and embezzled funds from taekwondo organizations.
A grim-faced Kim called a news conference yesterday at the National Assembly and said he was quitting as head of the World Taekwondo Federation -- a member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations -- which he has headed for three decades.
He also gave up two posts he held in South Korea: national lawmaker and head of the World Taekwondo Headquarters.
"I made this decision while feeling a heavy sense of responsibility for causing controversy in connection with my sports diplomacy," said Kim, reading from a prepared statement.
Kim said he'd devoted his life to boosting the international status of South Korean sports, including the traditional martial art taekwondo.
"While doing this, I sometimes got careless, and I admit that I did things wrong," he said. "I bow my head and offer my deep apologies."
He wiped tears from his eyes, and stepped aside from the podium and bowed deeply.
Last month, South Korean pro-secutors raided Kim's house and offices, seizing a private safe and documents. Prosecutors suspect Kim of embezzling funds from the World Taekwondo Federation and the World Taekwondo Headquarters.
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