Anchor: President Park Geun-hye has resumed state affairs by appointing a vice culture minister. A presidential official said Park feels that she has to fulfill her duties as president regardless of criticism, suggesting that she has entered a prolonged battle with the opposition for her ouster.
Our Kim In-kyung has more.
Report: President Park Geun-hye named Yu Dong-hun, a senior official in charge of public communication at the Culture Ministry as the new vice culture minister on Thursday.
On Friday, she held an appointment ceremony for her new presidential secretaries, including Presidential Chief of Staff Han Gwang-ok and presented letters of credence to newly appointed ambassadors.
It was the first time in eight days that Park appeared in public since her summit with the president of Kazakhstan last week.
After minimizing Park's exposure amid the Choi Soon-sil scandal, the top office is now reviewing whether Park should preside over a Cabinet meeting next week for the first time in around a month.
Next month, the president is expected to attend a trilateral summit with her Chinese and Japanese counterparts. It had been unclear if she would attend the meeting due to the political turmoil at home, but Presidential Spokesman Jung Youn-kuk said Friday that Park is expected to take part in the gathering.
A presidential official explained that Park feels she has to conduct her duties as president despite public criticism. The official said Park has to do what's necessary as the opposition hasn't answered calls to recommend a prime minister or hold a meeting between Park and the chief of the main opposition party.
The top office also stressed that Park already accepted the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the influence-peddling scandal. The presidential office is said to be preparing for a probe by a special prosecutor as well as a possible impeachment by the National Assembly.
Analysts believe that rather than stepping down, Park appears to be preparing for a long-term battle with the opposition camp.
Regarding another massive rally calling for Park's ouster scheduled for Saturday, the presidential spokesman only said the office will observe the situation closely.
Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News.
Source: KBS World Radio
