Politicians are dumb everywhere, but at least some know when to admit it

I read this interesting article today about the prime minister of South Korea. On a national holiday in remembrance of a civil uprising against Japanese colonial rule in 1919, the PM did what most people do on holidays -- engaged in leisure activities. He played some golf. This in it itself would not be grounds for someone to resign, but apparently South Korea expected him to work on a nationwide walkout by railway officials. So after repeatedly apologizing for not working thru the time of stress, he finally offered to resign.

This resignation was interesting for a few reasons indicated by the article:

1. while it was a matter of national concern, the labor dispute was not exactly an emergency or crisis;
2. he embarrassed the party b/c South Koreans expect high-level officials to work during times of crisis;
3. he wasn't doing anything blatantly illegal or unethical, but his golf game did include some individuals who were under investigation for other matters;
4. his PM position isn't really one of power but more of tradition and ceremony. His main noteworthy duty is to wield the President's influence over state affairs; and
5. this isn't the first time that he had engaged in leisure activity instead of working on a crisis.

I find this matter of justice very interesting. Political official does wrong once, gets rebuked. Political official does wrong twice and resigns. Why can't we have such expeditious responses in America? We have politicians who seemingly have to be arrested or caught red-handed before there's any type of public outcry significant enough to wield a resignation.