President nominates Justice Minister as new PM

Prime minister nominee Hwang Kyo-ahn / Korea Times file

By Lee Min-hyung

President Park Geun-hye has nominated Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn as the new prime minister, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Thursday morning.

Hwang, 58, is known to have won Park's trust since taking the post as Justice Minister in February, 2013. Hwang had served as a public prosecutor for more than 30 years.

"I feel a strong sense of responsibility to be named as prime minister," Hwang said. "I will do my best to stabilize the economy."

Rival parties have shown mixed reactions over the nomination.

"The nomination reflects Park's strong will to root out corruption," said ruling Saenuri Party Chairman Rep. Kim Moo-sung. "He has been very considerate in every word and deed during his tenure as Justice Minister."

But the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) has expressed strong regret.

“I will fight for the people, as the new prime minister is not expected to interact with the public,” said NPAD floor leader Rep. Lee Jong-kul. “We wanted a person who can integrate and communicate with the people.”

Hwang's nomination comes after former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo resigned amid mounting pressure over a bribery allegation that he had received illegal funds in 2013 from a late business tycoon.

Former Keangnam Enterprises Chairman Sung Woan-jong committed suicide in April before being arrested over an alleged bribery scandal. He left a list of people whom he claimed had taken bribes from him. Lee was on the list.