South Korea replaces prime minister, finance minister amid political scandal

(Baonghean.vn) - The South Korean presidential office on November 2 appointed a new Prime Minister and Finance Minister, amid the country being shaken by a scandal involving a close friend of President Park Geun-hye's involvement in state affairs.

South Korean Vice Finance Minister Yim Jong-yong speaks to the media on June 13, 2010. Photo: Reuters.

The Blue House announced that it has selected Yim Jong-yong, chairman of the Finance Committee, as the new Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. Yim will replace Minister Yoo Il-ho and is highly regarded by policymakers and market participants in his current position.

Kim Byong-joon, a former senior adviser to the administration of former President Roh Moo-hyun, was appointed as the new Prime Minister to replace the former Hwang Kyo-ahn.

A new minister of public security and safety was also appointed, moves seen as an attempt to calm public anger over the scandal involving the president's friend, Choi Soon-sil, who is currently in police custody pending an investigation.

According to Yim’s press office, the new finance minister plans to hold a press conference as early as the morning of November 2. “The Blue House has appointed Kim as the cabinet leader who will serve the country’s future and overcome current difficulties,” presidential spokesman Jung Youn-kuk said.

Neither Yoo nor Hwang are directly involved in the scandal, although Yoo is under considerable pressure from opposition lawmakers because of his close relationship with Ms. Park.

Park's public apology on November 1 for allowing Choi to edit a speech during her first months in office did little to dampen demands for full disclosure of the nature of her relationship with Choi and whether she profited from her friendship with the president.

Phu Binh

(According to Reuters)