Seoul ( CNN ) South Korea 's Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo offered to resign on Monday amid a growing political scandal . Lee will stay in his official role until South Korean President Park Geun-hye accepts his resignation . He has transferred his role of chairing Cabinet meetings to the deputy prime minister for the time being , according to his office . Park heard about the resignation and called it `` regrettable , '' according to the South Korean presidential office . Calls for Lee to resign began after South Korean tycoon Sung Woan-jong was found hanging from a tree in Seoul in an apparent suicide on April 9 . Sung , who was under investigation for fraud and bribery , left a note listing names and amounts of cash given to top officials , including those who work for the President . Lee and seven other politicians with links to the South Korean President are under investigation . A special prosecutor 's team has been established to investigate the case . Lee had adamantly denied the allegations as the scandal escalated : `` If there are any evidence , I will give out my life . As a Prime Minister , I will accept Prosecutor Office 's investigation first . '' Park has said that she is taking the accusations very seriously . Before departing on her trip to Central and South America , she condemned political corruption in her country . `` Corruption and deep-rooted evil are issues that can lead to taking away people 's lives . We take this very seriously . '' `` We must make sure to set straight this issue as a matter of political reform . I will not forgive anyone who is responsible for corruption or wrongdoing . '' Park is in Peru and is expected to arrive back to South Korea on April 27 . CNN 's Paula Hancocks contributed to this report .
Calls for Lee Wan-koo to resign began after South Korean tycoon Sung Woan-jong was found hanging from a tree in Seoul . Sung , who was under investigation for fraud and bribery , left a note listing names and amounts of cash given to top officials .