South Korea Sunday replaced the prime minister and seven other ministers in the biggest cabinet reshuffle since President Lee Myung-Bak came to power in February 2008, the presidential office said.

The nominee for new prime minister is Kim Tae-Ho, former governor of South Gyeongsang province in the southeast of the country.

The presidential office also announced new ministers for education (Lee Joo-Ho); culture (Shin Jae-Min); agriculture (Yoo Jeong-Bok); the knowledge economy ministry (Lee Jae-Hoon); health (Jin Soo-Hee); labour (Park Jae-Wan) and special affairs (Lee Jae-Oh).

The reshuffle comes amid tension with North Korea over Seoul's massive naval drills off the west coast, including spots near the two Koreas' disputed sea border.

Agencies