Uncertainty ahead in South Korean politics

But a new reunification minister was appointed, to bring new impetus to providing better relations with North Korea.

The presidential office announced that the goal of this reorganisation was to bring stability to the administration so that the president could pursue his policies effectively during the rest of his term.

This shake up has been a symbolic one, coming at a time of increasing political pressure on President Kim.

With only one year left in office, he has been overwhelmed by a series of scandals involving high-ranking officials.

During a news conference earlier this year, President Kim expressed deep regret at the series of scandals and promised to set up an independent agency to investigate them.

A cabinet reshuffle is often used to defuse political instability in South Korea, but doubts remain about how far reaching a change this shake-up can bring, amid growing discontent about the honesty of government officials.