Parliamentary Speaker Park Hee-tae resigned Thursday amid an ongoing investigation into claims he bribed fellow lawmakers in the 2008 ruling party leadership election.

It is the first time a legislative chief has stepped down over an investigation by prosecutors into bribery.

His resignation, however, is not an admission of guilt, officials said.

“I apologize to the people. I decided to resign from my speaker post, feeling a great responsibility for the recent events which involved my name,” said his spokesperson Han Jong-tae, reading Park’s statement during a hastily convened briefing at the National Assembly.

The 74-year-old senior lawmaker did not show up at the National Assembly.

“I shall take all due responsibility,” the statement said.

“Should anyone turn out to have been involved (in the scandal), consider it to be my fault.”

Park’s comments, however, only imply a general sense of responsibility as parliamentary leader, not a confession, Han said.

“Park summoned me this morning and told me he made the final decision just today,” the spokesperson told reporters.

“No discussions were made on the issue with the ruling Saenuri Party in advance, as Park is no longer a member.”

The right-wing lawmaker left the ruling camp, then known as the Grand National Party, when elected parliamentary speaker in 2010.

The scandal broke last month when Rep. Koh Seung-duk disclosed that he received an envelope stuffed with 3 million won in cash from Park’s campaign office shortly before the party’s leadership election in July, 2008. Koh said he returned the money.

Though Park denied the allegations, his former aide Koh Myung-jin confessed to receiving back the 3 million won from the whistle-blower and then reporting to Kim Hyo-jae, senior secretary for political affairs to President Lee Myung-bak.

Both Park and Kim are expected to be summoned by prosecutors soon.

According to National Assembly law, Park’s resignation is to be acknowledged by a majority vote in a general meeting and then followed by a by-election to select his replacement.

However, considering that his term was scheduled to end in May, his post may be temporarily taken over by one of the two vice speakers, Chung Ui-hwa and Hong Jae-hyong.

This was the second time since 1993 that an incumbent legislative chief has stepped down midterm.

Parties, including Park’s former camp, welcomed his decision but also attacked his statement.

“Park’s resignation was a much-belated decision,” said Rep. Park Young-sun, Supreme Council member of the main opposition Democratic United Party.

“It is the sad reality of our country that a parliamentary leader should step down in such disgrace.”

The Saenuri Party was taken by surprise upon hearing the news during its emergency leadership council meeting, according to officials.

“The party is relieved by the difficult decision, though it should have been made much earlier,” said spokesperson Rep. Hwang Young-cheul.

It is not likely that the sixth-term lawmaker will make a comeback to his home party, Hwang also told reporters.

The ruling party last month urged Park to take due responsibility and give up his post.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)