Assembly Approves New Prime Minister

Opposition Lawmakers Boycott Voting

The National Assembly approved a motion accepting President Lee Myung-bak's nomination of Chung Un-chan, 61, as prime minister Monday, despite objections from opposition parties.

One hundred and sixty-four lawmakers of the governing Grand National Party (GNP) voted for the motion, while nine others voted against, with three abstentions.

Legislators of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), the Liberty Forward Party (LFP) and three other parties walked out, saying that Chung was so flawed that he didn't deserve the crucial post.

If appointed by President Lee, Chung will replace Han Seung-soo and become the second prime minister in the Lee administration.

Chung assuming the post could mean the deterioration of inter-party relations as he supports modifying the plan to relocate nine ministries and four government agencies out of Seoul.