South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Thursday conferred a certificate of appointment to the independent counsel that will lead a probe into an influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye.

On Wednesday, the president selected Park Young-soo, 64, one of the two candidates that the opposition parties recommended in accordance with the special investigation law that took effect last week.

It is the first time that a prime minister has granted a certificate to an independent counsel instead of the president.

The independent counsel will have up to 120 days to investigate the case. The investigation team, consisting of 105 members, including 20 prosecutors, is expected to begin work this month. (Yonhap)