Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Yang-ho admitted that he was pressured by a former vice culture minister -- an alleged associate of Choi Soon-sil -- to step down from the top position in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics organizing committee.

He told reporters Thursday that “90 percent” of the speculation over the possible influence of Choi, President Park Geun-hye’s friend, over his sudden resignation, was “correct.” He didn’t give further details.

On May 3, the largest stakeholder of the group’s bankrupt Hanjin Shipping, said he was resigning to focus on normalizing the company’s business.

His successor was named just six hours later, stoking rumors that Cho’s resignation may not have been voluntary.

As the scandal involving Choi and the president continues, news reports this week suggested through interviews with unidentified sources from the Olympics organization committee that former Culture Vice Minister Kim Jong-deok allegedly demanded Cho step down at the time.

The sources reportedly said that the demand allegedly followed Cho’s refusal to give into pressure from the ministry to sign The Blue-K, a company founded by Choi, on a project to build stands for the Olympic stadium and other subsidiary facilities.

Cho also admitted that he had troubles with the former vice culture minister, reiterating that “90 percent of reports are true.”

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)