SKorea parliament approves PM nominee

29/02/2008 22:30:37

South Korea's parliament has approved president Lee Myung-bak's nominee for prime minister.

Mr Lee took office on Monday but had been unable to form a cabinet or put his choice for prime minister in office because liberal opponents who control parliament have blocked many of his nominees, saying they were ethically unfit for their jobs.

Parliament has voted to approve Han Seung-soo, a former finance minister as prime minister.

Mr Lee's nominees for unification, environment and gender equality ministers have withdrawn their names after allegations they had evaded taxes or speculated in real estate -- a politically charged issue in South Korea.

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