S Korea names new prime minister after ferry disaster

South Korean President Park Geun-hye Thursday nominated former Supreme Court justice Ahn Dai-hee for the post of prime minister as the incumbent offered to resign to take responsibility for last month's ferry sinking disaster, the presidential office said.

Ahn Dae-hee was named as the new prime minister to replace Chung Hong-won, the incumbent prime minister who is the highest-ranking government official to lose his job over the ferry sinking disaster, Xinhua reported.

Chung had offered to step down after apologising for the sinking of the ferry Sewol, which capsized and sank off the southwestern coast April 16.

On the 36th day of the search, 288 people were confirmed dead Wednesday, with 16 still missing. No survivor has been reported since 172 people were saved April 16.

However, President Park has delayed the acceptance of Chung's resignation so as to allow him to make all-out efforts first to handle the maritime accident.