The main opposition party's leader criticized President Park Geun-hye Tuesday for retaining her key aides despite their alleged involvement in a power struggle behind the scenes.

Moon Hee-sang, the interim chief of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, accused Park of neglecting growing calls for reform following the scandal that put the administration in the hot seat as it enters its third year in power next month.

His remarks came a day after Park held a New Year's press conference at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae, during which she apologized for the controversy but rejected calls for the dismissals of her chief secretary, Kim Ki-choon, and three junior secretaries allegedly involved in the case.

The scandal centers on allegations that Jeong Yun-hoe, Park's chief secretary during her term in parliament, exchanged information on state affairs and plotted to oust Kim with a group of incumbent presidential secretaries.

"Is it possible that even though the problem occurred inside Cheong Wa Dae, not one person there is taking responsibility and that there was no apology (from Park)?" Moon said.

He also called for greater efforts to improve ties with North Korea, saying the government should lift all sanctions the previous administration imposed on the North for torpedoing a South Korean warship in March 2010 and resume a joint tour program to the North's scenic Mount Kumgang.

The opposition leader lashed out at Park for failing to mention safety issues, which have become a major public concern since April's deadly ferry sinking that left more than 300 people dead or missing.

He also claimed that Park's economic policies based on deregulation, freeing up the labor market and prioritizing conglomerates will not help revive the slumping economy. (Yonhap)