Seoul, OCT 25, SPA -- South Korea's Unification Minister Lee Jong Seokoffered to resign Wednesday over what he called "political wrangling"over the government's handling of North Korea's first nuclear testtwo weeks ago, DPA REPORTED Lee, who has held the post since February, said he thoughtsomeone who is more capable should takeover at a time when effortsfor peace and security on the peninsula have been "recklesslypoliticized," he was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency. "I hope my resignation will stop political wrangling and reducethe president's burden in carrying out state affairs," Lee said. Lee offered his resignation to President Roh Moo Hyun during alunch meeting on Tuesday., according to a presidential spokesman. Criticized for his too-soft attitude toward Pyongyang, Leedefended his engagement policies on Wednesday, saying his resignationdoes not imply he or the government mishandled the North Koreannuclear issue. "I do not believe I have made any serious mistakes while carryingout North Korea policy as unification minister," said Lee. "I am confident about the results our North Korea engagementpolicy has achieved." The government has come under pressure since North Korea's firstnuclear test on October 9 to stop economic co-operation projects withthe communist country. On Monday, Defence Minister Yoon Kwang Ung offered his resignationto President Roh. Roh is expected to accept the offers from Lee and Yoon as hecarries out a shakeup of all security-related ministers in hiscabinet. Foreign Minister Ban Ki Moon, the next United Nationssecretary-general, will step down in mid-November and Roh is likelyto pick his successor in early November. Moon begins his UN job onJanuary 1.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/398074