Park also appointed Yook Dong-in, another former journalist and a spokesman of the Financial Services Commission, as the new head of the presidential office’s press center. The job had been vacant for 33 days since the former head Jung Kwang-sam left office last month. Jung had also announced his intention to run in April’s general election.

The reshuffle followed a series of resignations from high-profile Cheong Wa Dae officials who are believed to run for the next general election. Aside from Min and Jung, Park Jong-joon, the deputy head of the presidential security service, stepped down earlier this month.

Other two presidential special advisers, Yoon Sang-hyun and Kim Jae-won, also resigned last week. Both Yoon and Kim are ruling Saenuri Party lawmakers and reportedly plan to run for the parliamentary election.

Including the president’s top aides, cabinet members who double as lawmakers -- Oceans and Fisheries Minister Yoo Ki-june and Land and Transportation Minister Yoo Il-ho -- have also left their positions amid speculation that they might run for the upcoming general elections.

Most recently, Vice Transport Minister Yeo Hyung-koo resigned Saturday. 

“The issues and duties I took on when I took office have all been settled, and I think it is time for me to let go,” Yeo said in an interview with Yonhap news agency. “The past 35 years as a public official went by in an instant, and I can’t quite believe that I’m leaving.”

By Yeo Jun-suk (jasonyeo@heraldcorp.com)