South Korea's opposition parties urged President Park Geun-hye to hand over all authority to a new prime minister tapped by the parliament on Wednesday, adding she does not have other options to resolve the unrest sparked by the scandal triggered by her confidante accused of meddling in state affairs.

Local parties have been trying to find ways to normalize state affairs that are virtually paralyzed by allegations that Choi Soon-sil exerted power over the presidential office while working behind the scenes and enjoying unlawful benefits.

With Park taking flak for being unfit to lead the country for the remainder of her term, the ruling and opposition parties vowed to establish what they call a neutral Cabinet established with figures approved from both blocs.

While the presidential office earlier nominated Kim Byong-joon, a figure who leans more to the liberal bloc as the new prime minister, the decision led to the backlash from the opposition bloc, which claimed the candidate should be picked by the National Assembly, not the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.

Amid the controversy, Park visited the parliament Tuesday and insisted she can withdraw the earlier nomination. She also asked the National Assembly to select a new prime minister. The opposition bloc, however, continued to remain indifferent to the call, adding the president should first clearly define the extent of her role and that of the new prime minister.

The opposition parties currently demand the new prime minister should hold full power, while the ruling bloc says Park should at least maintain authority over the military and diplomacy.

"The fastest way to settle the confusion is by having Park promptly step aside and allow the new prime minister, designated by the parliament, to take the lead in normalizing state affairs," said Rep. Woo Sang-ho, the floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party.

Woo also urged the ruling Saenuri Party, which has been suffering an internal dispute among supporters of Park and those who have been at odds with the chief executive, to start full-fledged negotiations on the issue.

"It would be hard to make a discussion if there are leaders within Saenuri who are trying to cover up the scandal," Woo added.

The so-called non-Park faction of Saenuri has been urging Rep.

Lee Jung-hyun, the party head, to step down for failing to properly cope with the confidante scandal.

Rep. Park Jie-won, the floor leader of the splinter People's Party, also demanded the president give up her Saenuri membership.

"If the president remains at Saenuri, the new prime minister will be a part of the Saenuri-led Cabinet," the party whip said, adding her party membership will indirectly affect the parliamentary discussion.

Along with the minor Justice Party, the three opposition parties agreed Wednesday to reject Park's offer made Tuesday, adding they will also actively participate at the anti-government rally slated for Saturday.

Saenuri, meanwhile, urged the opposition parties to join the discussion, adding the president virtually accepted all demands made by the opposition bloc, including a special investigation on the scandal, as well as allowing parliament to select the country's next prime minister.  (Yonhap)