S.Korea's powerful PM leaves office over golf gaffe

SEOUL, March 15 (Reuters) South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan officially left office today for playing golf while a railway strike was causing transport chaos, ending a run as one of the country's most powerful premiers.

President Roh Moo-hyun accepted his resignation yesterday amid calls for Lee's dismissal for failing to attend to the rail strike that began on March 1. He played golf instead on that day, a national holiday, with a group of businessmen, including one who had been convicted of financial crimes.

In South Korea, executive power is vested with the president. But Roh, who campaigned on a pledge to share power, had given considerable authority to the prime minister.

Lee became prime minister in June 2004 and was largely responsible for the daily running of domestic policy. He was considered one of the most powerful premiers in the country's history.

The presidential Blue House said a search for Lee's successor had begun but no one had been named yet.

Vice Education Minister Lee Gi-woo, a close confidant of the outgoing prime minister and a member of the March 1 golf outing, also offered to resign today over the gaffe, the education ministry said.

REUTERS HS BD1644