South Korean parliament approves Moon's pick for prime minister

[SEOUL] South Korea's parliament approved President Moon Jae In's selection of Lee Nak Yon as prime minister on Wednesday, backing the former lawmaker and governor of South Jeolla Province to become the first confirmed cabinet nominee under the new leader.

Mr Moon nominated Mr Lee after winning elections earlier this month to replace former president Park Geun Hye, who was impeached after a corruption scandal.

The appointment of Mr Lee, 65, was approved with 164 votes from the 299-member National Assembly, of whom 188 members voted. Twenty assembly members voted against Mr Lee's nomination, two abstained and two votes were disqualified.

A simple majority of votes is required to approve a prime minister designate.

The presidential Blue House said shortly after the vote that Mr Moon would formally appoint Mr Lee as prime minister later on Wednesday but did not offer any other immediate response to the vote after the results were announced.

Mr Lee faced some criticism from lawmakers during his confirmation hearings over residence registration documents that were considered to be intentionally inaccurate. Lawmakers from the opposition Liberty Korea Party had demanded Mr Lee withdraw his name over other allegations, which included tax evasion.

Mr Lee denied the allegations.

The vote was delayed for more than an hour when the ruling party failed to persuade the main opposition party to participate. Such actions are not unusual in South Korea's parliament.

The Liberty Korea Party eventually boycotted the vote.

The role of prime minister is largely ceremonial in South Korea, although Mr Moon has vowed to share more power with Mr Lee.

REUTERS