- Title: South Korean president says willing to accept parliament's choice for PM
- Date: 8th November 2016
- Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (NOVEMBER 8, 2016) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT, PARK GEUN-HYE, AND SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS WALKING INTO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SOUTH KOREAN MEMBERS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, HOLDING UP POSTERS SOUTH KOREAN MEMBERS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HOLDING POSTER READING (Korean): "PARK GEUN-HYE RESIGN" SOUTH KOREAN LEADER OF JUSTICE PARTY, SIM SANG-JUNG (RIGHT), AND SOUTH KOREAN MEMBERS OF JUSTICE PARTY HOLDING POSTER HANDS HOLDING POSTER READING (Korean): "PRESIDENT PARK GEUN-HYE RESIGN!"
- Embargoed: 23rd November 2016 03:53
- Keywords: South Korea parliament president Park Geun-hye scandal prime minister withdraw
- Location: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
- City: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
- Country: South Korea
- Topics: Lawmaking,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00157L2FK5
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS NOTE: AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING
South Korean President Park Geun-hye said on Tuesday (November 8) she will withdraw her nominee for prime minister if parliament recommends a candidate and is willing to let the new premier control the cabinet, seeking to defuse a crisis rocking her presidency.
Park's comments at a meeting with the speaker of parliament indicated she was willing to relinquish some control over state affairs - a key demand by opposition parties to resolve the scandal stemming from allegations that her friend improperly wielded influence using her ties to the president.
"If parliament recommends a good person with an agreement between the ruling and opposition parties, I will appoint that person as prime minister and allow him to essentially take control over the cabinet," Park told the speaker, Chung Sye-kyun.
Park nominated Kim Byong-joon, a former cabinet minister under a liberal ex-president, as premier last week but the move, which requires a parliamentary approval, drew anger from the opposition as a bid to divert attention from the crisis and yet another example of her heavy-handed approach.
The position of prime minister is usually a figurehead in South Korea, with most power concentrated in the presidential office.
Park has been severely bruised by the scandal involving her friend, Choi Soon-sil, who is alleged to have used her closeness to the president to meddle in state affairs and wield influence in the sports and cultural communities.
No South Korean president has failed to finish their five-year term, but Park has faced growing pressure from the public and some hardline political opponents to quit. Park's term is due to end in early 2018. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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