S. Korean president reshuffles cabinet amid controversial scandal

South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Wednesday reshuffled the cabinet, naming new prime minister, deputy minister for economic affairs and public safety minister amid a controversial scandal surrounding her longtime confidante, Park's office said.

Kim Byong-joon, former senior presidential policy secretary under late President Roh Moo-hyun, was appointed as new prime minister. Kim is a current professor at the Kookmin University in Seoul.

Yim Jong-yong, chairman of the Financial Services Commission (FSC), the country's financial regulator, was tapped as new deputy minister for economic affairs who double as finance minister.

Park Seung-joo, former gender minister in the Roh Moo-hyun administration, was named as new minister of public safety and security.

The cabinet reshuffle came amid allegations on Choi Soon-sil, who is suspected of intervening in state affairs and peddling influence behind the scenes by using her longtime friendship with President Park.

Park reshuffled her presidential secretariat on Sunday, accepting resignations of eight secretaries that include the presidential chief of staff and senior secretaries for civil affairs and policy coordination.