A former South Korean presidential contender stepped down as a provincial governor Tuesday and announced his retirement from politics after a secretary accused him of multiple rapes.

The stunning fall of Ahn Hee-jung -- who came second to Moon Jae-in in the contest to select the Democratic Party's presidential candidate last year -- makes him the most prominent figure to face abuse allegations in a swirling #MeToo movement in what is still a male-dominated society.

One of his secretaries told a television interviewer on Monday that Ahn had raped her four times since hiring her in June.

Kim Ji-eun told JTBC that the last straw came when Ahn called her into his office on the night of February 25 and apologised for having hurt her, talking about the country's #MeToo movement.

"And then he raped me again," she said, holding back tears. She also accused Ahn of sexually assaulting others.

Following the TV interview, the ruling Democratic Party held an emergency meeting and expelled Ahn with immediate effect.

Hours later the 52-year-old announced his resignation as governor of South Chungcheong Province and retirement from public life.
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