(LEAD) Senior presidential aide resigns after son used dad's name on job applications

(ATTN: UPDATES with details, background from 4th para; CHANGES photo)

SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Yonhap) -- The senior presidential secretary for civil affairs resigned Tuesday after his son was found to have used his father's name on job applications.

Kim Jin-kook tendered his resignation as soon as he arrived at work Tuesday, and President Moon Jae-in immediately accepted the offer, a senior Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

Local broadcaster MBC reported Monday that Kim's son wrote on multiple job applications that his father is the senior secretary for civil affairs and would help the companies if they hired the son.

On one application, which was for a financial sales position, the son reportedly wrote about his father in the answers to all five questions on the form.

Under "upbringing," he wrote, "My father is Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Kim Jin-kook," while under "school days," he wrote, "My father will provide a lot of help."

Asked about his strengths and weaknesses, the son promised to "speak to my father and realize this company's dreams." Under "work experience," he asked the company to trust him because "I do not lie," and under "reasons for applying and ambitions," he asked that the company help him "spread my wings here."

The son was also found to have lied on his resume that he graduated from Yong In University in March 2018, but in fact he transferred to another university before graduating and later dropped out.

Kim apologized in an interview with MBC, saying what happened was unacceptable and left no room for excuses. He also said his son has been receiving treatment for anxiety and compulsive behavior.

The son also admitted he was wrong to write such applications and that he "must have been crazy" but that he "really wanted to get a job."

Kim's resignation comes about nine months after his appointment. Moon has appointed five senior secretaries for civil affairs during his term and all of them have stepped down amid controversy.

hague@yna.co.kr
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