The head of the ruling Saenuri Party said Thursday the opposition's call for President Park Geun-hye give up control over the military is unconstitutional and cannot be accepted in a law-governed country.

Opposition parties, along with Moon Jae-in, a potential contender for next year's presidential race who once led the Democratic Party, have been demanding Park hand over a wider scope of powers to a new prime minister, as she is unable to carry out state affairs normally due to the scandal.

Park public standing has nosedived after her friend of more than 40 years Choi Soon-sil has allegedly exerted influence on state affairs and may have used the connection to accumulate wealth.

While the ruling and opposition parties agreed in principal on establishing a neutral Cabinet to normalize state affairs, they have not yet agreed to the extent of Park's role in the running of the government.

The opposition parties demand Park to only stand as a symbolic head of the country, while Saenuri says she should take charge of the military as well as diplomacy, while allowing the prime minister to handle domestic affairs and the economy.

Rep. Lee Jung-hyun, the head of Saenuri, said it would be unconstitutional for Park give up control entirely, adding Moon has made a hasty remark.

"Moon is a lawyer and also formerly worked as a presidential secretary. (He should know more than anyone that) presidents vow to follow the Constitution when they take oath of office," Lee said, adding Moon needs to explain himself in regards to his demands.

Lee said Moon should make it clear if he is trying to bring about a paralysis of state affairs.

The Saenuri head also requested opposition parties to hold discussions on the selection of a new prime minister to head the neutral Cabinet.

Park earlier said she would withdraw the nomination of Kim Byong-joon, a prime minister designate, requesting the parliament to recommend another candidate amid the opposition parties' criticism that they cannot accept a designation that did not reflected the voice of the National Assembly.

Opposition parties have distanced themselves from starting discussions about a new prime minister, adding the president should first clearly define her role for the remainder of her term in office that ends in February 2018 and hand over most of her powers to a neutral Cabinet. (Yonhap)