Updated

South Korea's president has nominated a new prime minister and accepted the resignations of two senior officials in what is seen as the start of a government shake-up in the wake of last month's ferry disaster.

Spokesman Min Kyung-wook said Thursday that President Park Geun-hye had nominated a former Supreme Court justice to replace the current prime minister, who has offered to quit over the ferry sinking. The disaster left more than 300 people dead or missing.

Park's nomination requires parliamentary approval.

Min said Park had also accepted resignations offers by the national security director and the country's spy chief.

Park has said she will disband the coast guard, downsize two government ministries and establish two new state agencies in efforts to better cope with future disasters.