Korean Red Cross President Kim Chul-soo will step down after being accused of making racist remarks toward several foreign ambassadors in Seoul.

A Red Cross spokesperson said Friday that Kim had taken responsibility for the alleged incident and expressed his intent to resign.

Kim's move comes hours after presidential spokesperson Kim Nam-joon said President Lee Jae Myung had strongly condemned Kim’s alleged remarks and instructed the welfare ministry to look into the matter. 

Earlier, a local media outlet reported that Kim had made racist comments after a 2023 Red Cross gala attended by ambassadors from seven nations, including Angola, India, the Czech Republic and Sri Lanka.