South Korea's veterans affairs minister on Friday cautioned against possible ramifications of an envisioned nonpartisan Cabinet on the South Korea-US alliance.

His remarks came amid political moves to form a nonpartisan Cabinet to govern state affairs crippled by a corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye's confidante.

"The ruling and opposition parties are deeply divided over the key issues, such as North Korea, the closest ally US and unification of the two Koreas," Patriots & Veterans Affairs Minister Park Sung-choon said in a forum in Seoul. "Even if they form a neutral government, it is doubtful whether they can keep the alliance with the US as it is (amid growing threats from North Korea)."

Opposition parties have demanded Park hand over her entire presidential authority to a parliament-picked premier to steer a nonpartisan Cabinet and step down.

Her government has nearly been paralyzed after a corruption and influence-peddling scandal erupted late last month. In the scandal, Park's longtime friend Choi Soon-sil is accused of using her ties to prod local businesses to donate sums of money to two nonprofit foundations. Choi then tried to siphon off the funds for her personal profit.

Choi, with no official title nor security clearance, was arrested for attempted fraud and abuse of power. Park faces a probe over the scandal by prosecutors possibly next week.

At this critical juncture, a top priority should be put on protecting lives of the citizens and their assets from any enemy attacks, the minister said, adding the alliance should remain intact.

The minister then dismissed the possibility that the alliance could weaken under the incoming Donald Trump government next year. During the election campaign, Trump made some comments that raised worries in South Korea that undermine the alliance. (Yonhap)