S. Korea's human rights panel chief expresses intention to resign

The head of the independent state panel on human rights expressed his intention to resign for health reasons, the agency said Monday.

"I decided to quit because of chronic diseases, including high blood pressure," Cho Young-hoang, chairman of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, was quoted as saying by the panel's public affairs officials.

"There is no other reason," he added.

The announcement followed a commission meeting earlier in the day, where he was quoted as saying: "I think it's time to leave the office." He left the meeting after asking Choi Young-ae, a member of the panel's steering committee, to act as chairman for him until a new head is named, the officials said.

Related to talk of Cho's resignaton, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said it is trying to determine the reason for the sudden announcement.

"Nothing has been decided on whether President Roh Moo-hyun will accept the resignation at present," said Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Yoon Tae-young. He added that the office will decide on the matter after the formal resignation letter is received on Tuesday. Other aides to Roh said that no prior discussion had ever taken place.

Cho, 65, was sworn in as the commission's chairman in April last year. His official term ends in April 2008.

Seoul, Sept. 25 (Yonhap News)