South Korea announces new premier, finance minister amid Park scandal
South Korea has named a new prime minister and finance minister amid a political scandal concerning President Park Geun-hye allegedly letting a close friend meddle in state affairs.
Early on Wednesday, presidential spokesman Jung Youn-kuk said Premier Hwang Kyo-ahn had been replaced by Kim Byong-joon in relation to “the current situation."
Yim Jong-yong, the chairman of the country’s financial services commission, was also named as the new finance minister and deputy prime minister.
Meanwhile, Park’s longtime friend, Choi Soon-sil, was held for a second day of questioning after being detained over alleged corruption and influence-peddling on Monday.
The 60-year-old, reportedly a fortuneteller and a cult leader, has been Park’s confidante for decades and is accused of allegedly masterminding government policy and decision making for financial gain.
South Korean media portrays Choi as a Rasputin-like figure who wielded an unhealthy influence over Park and interfered in government policy despite holding no official post and having no security clearance.
Earlier in the week, around 8,000 angry people took part in the rally that was held in the capital, Seoul, calling on Park to resign over allegations made against her and Choi.
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