The Philippine police are to suspend their controversial war on drugs until “corrupt” officers can be rooted out, the chief of the force said on Monday, following the killing of a South Korean businessman.

More than 7,000 people have been killed, including about 2000 in police operations, since a nationwide crackdown on drugs was instigated by President Rodrigo Duterte when he swept to power in June.

But after the kidnap and strangulation of Jee Ick-joo last October, in the grounds of the police headquarters by rogue officers of the anti-drug squad, Duterte said he was “embarrassed” and apologised. He accused the police of being “corrupt to the core.”