Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said Thursday the government is not considering an immediate Cabinet reshuffle, adding it will instead focus on finding solutions to pressing issues that need to be tackled.

"Now is the time to work harder," Hwang said during a press conference, hinting the government will put more priority on other core issues. The meeting with reporters comes as Hwang marks his first year in office on Saturday.

Last week, President Park Geun-hye conducted a small-scale reshuffle of her senior secretaries and vice-ministerial officials amid calls for a personnel shift in the wake of the ruling Saenuri Party's defeat in April's parliamentary polls. Initially, political pundits earlier expected a Cabinet reshuffle.

Looking back on the past year, Hwang said it was regrettable that the country was not able to make sufficient headway in the economic sector.

Concerning the latest debate over construction of a new airport in the southeastern part of the country, Hwang said his office will "stick to principle" and continue to keep an eye on the progress.

Daegu, Ulsan and the North Gyeongsang Province support Milyang as the candidate site for the new airport, while Busan, the country's largest sea port and No. 2 city, wants the airport to be built on Gadeok Island, not far from the existing Gimhae International Airport.

The issue has become a major area of focus for local political and industrial groups.

As for next year's presidential election, Hwang skirted the issue adding he is "already busy enough (with state affairs)."

Hwang also declined to provide details on his meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Turkey last month, adding their conversation was only limited to the World Humanitarian Summit.

Ban is also cited as one of potential presidential candidate in South Korea, especially after the U.N. chief said he would "contemplate" what he would do as a South Korean citizen when he returns to his home country after completing his two terms as U.N. helmsman at the end of this year. (Yonhap)