SEOUL, Sept 17 (BBC): South Korea's opposition leader has become the latest politician to publicly shave his head in a protest against the government.
Hwang Kyo-ahn had his hair entirely shaved off in front of supporters and journalists outside the presidential palace on Monday evening.
The protest is over a new justice minister, Cho Kuk, whose family is embroiled in corruption allegations.
Last week, two female MPs shaved their heads over the same controversy.
All three are from the conservative end of the political spectrum and oppose the current government under President Moon Jae-in.
They want Mr Cho to resign or be sacked.
Cho Kuk, a former law professor and aide to Mr Moon, took office last week as justice minister.
But his critics are angry that he was nominated for the post by Mr Moon despite ongoing accusations of academic fraud and financial crimes against his family.
His wife, also a professor, has been indicted for allegedly forging material which helped their daughter get into university and secure scholarships, something which has angered other university students.
Prosecutors are also looking into investments into an allegedly dubious equity fund linked to another relative. In recent weeks, prosecutors carried out several raids linked to Ms Cho's family.
In his confirmation hearing last Friday, Mr Cho expressed his "deepest apologies to the younger generation" over the alleged perks his daughter received. But said he said he wanted to get on with reforms to the justice system.
Mr Moon has stressed there has been no confirmation of illegal action and said it would be bad precedent not to appoint someone solely on the basis of allegations.
But the case has caused a public debate about class privilege in South Korea, which has been rocked by corruption scandals over recent years.
The previous government was toppled over corruption allegations and former President Park Geun-hye is currently serving prison time for bribery and abuse of power.
Mr Hwang served as prime minister under former President Pak - some observers have suggested his public stunt was in part motivated to undermine current President Moon Jae-in.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
