SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's president has decided to replace her health minister in the wake of criticism over the government's handling of the MERS virus outbreak that killed 36 people.

Last week, South Korea announced that it was virtually free of Middle East respiratory syndrome, which had rattled the country since an outbreak was declared in May.

South Korean media have criticized the government for failing to swiftly cope with MERS in the initial stage of its landing in the country.

President Park Geun-hye's office said in a statement Tuesday that Park has nominated local medical professor Chung Chin Youb to replace Health Minister Moon Hyung-pyo.

Chung is required to have a confirmation hearing, but his nomination does not need parliamentary approval.