Lee names security aide as new defense minister

President Lee Myung-bak Friday nominated Lee Hee-won, special presidential security advisor, as new defense minister, the presidential office announced.

The nominee, if confirmed, will replace Kim Tae-young accused of mishandling North Korea’s deadly artillery attack Tuesday.

Kim has been under growing criticism for the military’s’ passive response to North Korea’s shelling of South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island, where some 1,700 people reside. Two civilians and two marines were killed, and some 20 others were wounded.

Every Cabinet minister-nominee has to go through a parliamentary hearing, but is non-binding.