South Korea's Park again in search of a prime minister

TOKYO - South Korean President Park Geun-hye is in trouble. With more than half of her five-year term to go, she is already looking for her sixth prime minister -- and the selection process is not going smoothly.

On April 27, Park accepted the resignation of her latest prime minister, Lee Wan-koo, who is stepping down over a bribery scandal. Lee's alleged involvement in the matter was brought to light during an investigation into illegal transactions related to the resource diplomacy of former President Lee Myung-bak, Park's immediate predecessor and chief political rival.

Corruption allegations

The former prime minister came under suspicion after construction tycoon Sung Wan-jong, himself being investigated over corruption allegations, committed suicide in April. Sung left behind a list of names incriminating high-profile figures he claimed to have bribed, including Lee, high-ranking officials in the Blue House and ex-managers of the presidential secretary office.

Lee declared an all-out war against corruption in March and was found to have "spotless" record during screening prior to his appointment as prime minister. It would be more than a little embarrassing, then, if it turns out allegations he received 30 million won ($28,323) in illegal campaign contributions are true. Though he denies any wrongdoing, Lee was forced to leave office as the nation's shortest-serving prime minister.

Park is entering her third year as president. She has designated 2015 as a "golden time" for tackling major challenges -- overhauling the public servant pension system, introducing labour and education reforms and revitalizing the economy -- because there are no elections on the horizon. But the Lee scandal has already significantly undermined her unifying power. Her popularity rating currently is hovering at around 30 per cent.

Read the full story here