South Korean President Lee Myung-bak accepted defense minister's resignation on Thursday, according to the presidential office.


South Korean Defence Minister Kim Tae-Young leaves after offering condolences at a memorial altar for two dead Marines at a military hospital in Seongnam, south of Seoul November 25, 2010. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
"President Lee decided to accept Defense Minister Kim Tae-young's intent to step down," presidential chief of staff Yim Tae-hee told a press briefing.


Kim offered to quit to take responsibility for the alleged mishandling of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's deadly artillery barrage on a South Korean island near the tense disputed Yellow Sea border between the two Koreas on Tuesday.


South Korea and the DPRK blamed each other for provocation, Yonhap news agency said.


Yim said the government plans to announce Kim's replacement on Friday.


VietNamNet/Xinhuanet