Embattled South Korean president sacks PM, as prosecutors seek arrest of friend at centre of scandal
A dramatic day in Seoul as South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye scrambles to contain a damaging scandal over a close friend accused of meddling in state affairs
South Korea’s presidential office on Wednesday named a new prime minister and finance minister, the highest-level shake-up since President Park Geun-hye’s administration was rocked by a scandal involving a friend accused of meddling in state affairs.
The top-level reshuffle, which also saw a new public safety minister, was the latest attempt to appease growing public anger with the president and her administration.
Park has been engulfed in a political storm over allegations that she allowed long-time friend Choi Soon-sil, who holds no political position, to vet her speeches and have a voice in policy decisions - including cabinet appointments.
Choi is currently being detained and questioned by prosecutors over her links to Park and other allegations of influence-peddling and embezzlement.
A spokesman at the Seoul Prosecutors Office said a formal request had been made Wednesday to a local court to issue an arrest warrant for Choi on charges of fraud and abuse of power.