South Korea's foreign ministry on Thursday announced a set of reform measures aimed at shedding its tarnished image after a major nepotism scandal that cost the job of its former head.

Announced by new foreign minister Kim Sung-hwan, who recently replaced his predecessor who was forced out of the ministry over the scandal, the measures focus on revamping the ministry's hiring practices that triggered public outcry for giving undue favors to people with ties to ministry officials.

Former minister Yu Myung-hwan flexed his muscles to hire his daughter to a mid-level ministry post. The scandal prompted a government audit into the ministry, and the ministry formed its own independent task force team to address the issue.

The reform measures include relinquishing the foreign ministry' s control over its employment to the ministry of public administration and strengthening its internal evaluation process to better assess performances of ministry officials.

Under the overhaul, more senior posts will be open to civilians and non-career diplomats to provide fresh blood into what is seen to be the coterie of ministry officials. Job applicants with ties to high-ranking officials and diplomats will come under closer scrutiny of their qualifications.

"I once again affirm our promise to restore fairness of the ministry, and we will press for this as our first and foremost priority," Kim Sung-hwan told reporters. "I promise that these measures won't end up being empty slogans but will be systemized and implemented."