[UPDATES] Liberal scholar nominated as President Park's new premier

By Park Sae-jin Posted : November 2, 2016, 11:37 Updated : November 2, 2016, 11:37

[Yonhap Photo]



South Korea's scandal-stricken President Park Geun-hye picked a liberal scholar Wednesday as her new prime minister in a cabinet shake-up aimed at assuaging widespread public anger sparked by her controversial ties with an arrested long-time friend.

The president's office said that Kim Byong-joon, 62, was nominated as prime minister to replace Hwang Kyo-ahn. Kim served as a senior presidential aide for South Korea's late liberal politician Roh Moo-hyun who served as president from 2003 and 2008.

Yim Jong-yong, head of the Financial Services Commission, was made new economic chief and finance minister. Park Seung-joo, who served as vice minister at the gender ministry under Roh, was named to head the Ministry of Public Safety and Security.

Opposition parties vetoed Kim's nomination, slamming Park for ignoring popular calls to normalize the operation of government administration by appointing a neutral and independent cabinet through consultations with opposition groups.

Choo Mi-ae, head of the main opposition Democratic Party, accused Park of messing state affairs by pushing for a unilateral cabinet shake-up that would fail to win public support. "The president is out of mind," Choo said, urging Park to stop a "political show" that would make a mess of state affairs.

Seoul city mayor Park Won-soon, a potential candidate in next year's presidential election, demanded Park's immediately resignation, insisting she has completely lost her authority and power as chief executive.

"President Park has lost her right to carry out a cabinet shake-up ... She should be investigated for bungling state affairs," the mayor said.

A scandal over Park's longtime friend, Choi Soon-sil, has roiled South Korea, threatening to put key security and other state affairs on the back burner.

Park admitted last week that Choi had acted as the president's personal adviser, editing presidential speeches. The woman returned home from Europe Sunday and was placed under emergency arrest. The 60-year-old daughter of a religious cult leader who was once seen as Park's anchor is suspected of exploiting her ties with the president to interfere in state affairs.

Aju News Lim Chang-won and Park Sae-jin
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