SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's chief prosecutor has stepped down over sex and bribery scandals involving his subordinates.

Prosecutor General Han Sang-dae's resignation Friday follows an investigation into a junior prosecutor accused of having sex with a suspect under questioning. A senior prosecutor was also arrested on charges he took bribes from businessmen.

Though he was not directly linked to the two cases, Han apologized for the scandals in a speech Friday.

Han was appointed by President Lee Myung-bak in August last year and has overseen an aggressive crackdown on people the government suspects of sympathizing with rival North Korea.

South Korea holds a presidential election Dec. 19. It's unclear who might replace Han.