South Korea's Ambassador to the United States, Han Sung-joo, has reportedly expressed his wish to resign to Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon.

A government official said Friday that, during their meeting in New York, Han had asked Ban to convey to President Roh Moo-hyun his intention to step down from his post.

The scholar-turned-diplomat and former Foreign Minister came under criticism earlier this month after he skipped a dinner hosted by U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld at a sensitive time in Seoul-Washington relations, and instead attended a party his wife hosted to celebrate the publication of her book.

But an embassy official said the ambassador has already offered to resign several times before.

It's not known whether Roh will immediately accept Han's resignation or wait until a regular reshuffle of diplomats next February.