South Korea's president, Park Geun-hye, has asked the country's current prime minister to stay on in the job after two possible replacements abandoned their nominations because of questions over their past behaviour.

Chung Hong-won in April offered to step down as prime minister after the Sewol ferry disaster caused an outburst of public anger towards the government.



Senior presidential official Yoon Doo-hyun said on Thursday that Park had now rejected Chung's resignation offer and asked him to stay.

Then announcement came two days after Park's second choice for the job withdrew his name amid criticism over pro-Japanese remarks he allegedly made. Park's first pick for the post quit over alleged ethical lapses.

The withdrawals were considered political setbacks to Park. The ferry sinking left more than 300 people dead or missing.

