South Korean prime minister retained

Seoul, June 26 (IANS) South Korean President Park Geun-hye Thursday decided to retain Prime Minister Chung Hong-won after two nominees for the number two post withdrew.

Yun Doo-hyun, senior presidential secretary for public affairs, told a press briefing that Park turned down Chung's resignation and asked him to dedicate himself to state affairs, Xinhua reported.

The decision came two days after former prime ministerial nominee Moon Chang-keuk withdrew his candidacy amid rising criticism for his past pro-Japanese comments.

Ahn Dai-hee, Park's former choice for prime minister, pulled out in late May after criticism that the former Supreme Court judge had received exorbitant salary as a lawyer at a local law firm.