Seoul, Oct 10: South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun said today he would subject himself to a vote of confidence, possibly in the form of a referendum, following a corruption scandal that has engulfed an associate. The president apologized for the scandal and said the confidence vote would take place after an investigation of the affair had concluded.

"Regardless of the results (of the investigation), I will ask for a vote of confidence from the nation concerning national mistrust which has been growing over issues including this one," he said at a press conference. "I haven't found an appropriate method yet. I have thought of a national referendum, but there is an issue of national security there and I wonder whether that is a proper method."

The beleaguered president, in office for just over seven months, has seen his approval ratings crash from the nearly 80 percent to just over 20 percent since he won election in December last year. The decision to seek a vote of confidence comes after prosecutors accused Choi Do-Sul, a longtime loyalist and former top aide, of taking around one million dollars in bribes from SK Corp, South Korea's third largest business group, in exchange for favours.

Choi, the ex-presidential secretary for general affairs, denies the charge.

The scandal adds to a growing list of woes for Roh, blamed for his perceived failure to control militant labour unions and reverse South Korea's economic recession. His backers have also turned against him over the lingering North Korean nuclear crisis. Bureau Report