Seoul, South Korea ? President Roh Moo-hyun today rejected an offer from his Cabinet and presidential aides to resign amid a crisis over his leadership, but left open the possibility that he could quit if he determines he no longer has the public’s trust.

The turmoil at the highest levels of the South Korean government follows months of increasingly virulent criticism of Roh, whose blunt style and perceived inconsistency on major policy issues have alienated many South Koreans. Corruption scandals involving presidential aides also have drained his approval ratings.

It was not immediately clear how what Roh described as “chaos” in state affairs might affect international efforts to stop North Korea’s suspected development of nuclear weapons. South Korea, a close U.S. ally, is eager to promote dialogue as a means of resolving the issue.

Roh’s rejection of the resignation offers from the Cabinet eased chaos in the short term, but the months ahead are likely to be a difficult time for his presidency. Roh said he was willing to face a national referendum on his performance that could lead to his resignation.

“If a president is sacrificed in the middle of his term and if that serves to straighten out South Korean politics, I think that is a bigger stride forward for the development of South Korean politics than the case in which the president simply completes his five-year term,” Roh said at a news conference.

Roh, a former human rights lawyer who took office in February, said it was unclear whether the constitution allowed for a referendum to assess the public’s confidence. But he suggested that the law could be changed to enable such a vote to take place.

The leadership chaos erupted Friday when Roh said he would ask South Koreans whether they still had trust in him. He said he wanted a “pardon” from the people to restore moral strength in his 8-month-old government, which is besieged by a hostile National Assembly and unfriendly news media.