S Korea's president calls for end of political deadlock

South Korean President Park Geun-hye says political deadlock is hampering the formation of her new government at a time of nuclear tension with North Korea and widespread economic worries.

Park gave a heated speech on national television Monday, a week after she became the country's first female president. She expressed frustration as opposition lawmakers block government restructuring plans that Park says are meant to strengthen national competiveness and create more jobs.

Lawmakers have also failed to set a date for confirmation hearings for some of her Cabinet appointments. Some argue that her restructuring plan is meant to control the media.

Frustration over the parliamentary deadlock was cited by a Korean-American entrepreneur nominated to Park's Cabinet who offered Monday to withdraw from consideration.

Park took no questions after her speech.

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