(VOVworld) - South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Wednesday reshuffled her cabinet, replacing the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and the Minister for Public Safety, in the wake of a political scandal surrounding her long-time friend Choi Soon-Sil.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Wednesday reshuffled her cabinet, replacing the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and the Minister for Public Safety (Source: YONHAP/VNA)

Kim Byong-joon, senior secretary under former President Roh Moo-hyun, was appointed Prime Minister. Yim Jong-yong, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. 2 days ago Park appointed former senior prosecutor Choi Jai-kyeong her new senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, and appointed former National Assembly spokesperson Bae Sung-rye her new chief of public affairs.

President Park is struggling to quiet the scandal of sharing sensitive documents with Choi, her close friend of 40 years. Choi is accused of using her ties to Park to interfere in national affairs and influencing certain sensitive policies. She is also being investigated for allegedly forcing businesses to donate to two non-profit foundations she set up for personal use. The total donations could be as much as 44 million USD.