South Korea's army chief resigned Tuesday over a controversial property investment, at a time of high tensions with North Korea following its deadly artillery attack on a border island last month. The departure of General Hwang Eui-Don is a further blow to the South's military, widely criticised for a perceived feeble response to the North's bombardment, which triggered international alarm.
Hwang stepped down following media reports that he had profited unfairly from the property deal, a claim he denies. But he judged it inappropriate to stay in his post at a time when he must lead reform of the army, a defence ministry spokesman told AFP.