Pres. Park retains Chung Hong-won as prime minister

President Park Geun-hye retained Prime Minister Chung Hong-won, who has offered to resign over the Sewol ferry disaster.

The surprise re-appointment of Chung for the administration's number two post came after two previous nominees withdrew due to strong criticism about their qualifications.

Chung offered to quit following the deadly ferry disaster but he was asked to remain in the job until his replacement was confirmed by the National Assembly.

Late last month Park's first choice for prime minister, Ahn Dai-hee, withdrew his nomination amid criticism that he had made too much money as a lawyer last year by allegedly benefiting from his status as a former Supreme Court justice.

On Tuesday, former journalist Moon Chang-keuk also quit as the prime ministerial nominee as he was blamed for his alleged pro-Japanese views, in what is seen as a blow to President Park's efforts to contain the fallout from the ferry accident in April.