Feb 29, 2008, 15:57 GMT
Seoul - South Korea's former foreign minister Han Seung Soo, was Friday appointed prime minister.
South Korea's parliament Friday approved the appointment of the economist veteran diplomat, following a hearing on his fitness for office.
His appointment paves the way for the work of the new cabinet under newly inaugurated President Lee Myung Bak.
Han, 72, and 11 designated ministers received their letters of appointment.
The liberal United Democratic Party-controlled legislature, which has blocked many of Lee's nominees, endorsed Han by a vote of 174 to 94.
Conservative Lee, sworn into office Monday, had been unable to form a cabinet with the parliament confirming only 11 of 15 minister nominees and demanding the withdrawal of Health Minister-designate Kim Soung Yee, rejected by the UDP over allegations of dubious real estate transactions and tax evasion.
Three of the four ministerial candidates not approved by the liberal United Democratic Party (UDP), the strongest force in parliament, withdrew. The ministry associated with policy on North Korea and the ministries of gender equality and the environment were affected.
Han, a special envoy on climate change for United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, has also served as ambassador to the US from 1996-1997, foreign minister, finance minister and president of the UN General Assembly.
The post of prime minister, is largely ceremonial with little decision-making power. Lee won presidential elections as opposition candidate in December, promising among other things, to grow the economy by 5 to 7 per cent and double the per capital income to 40,000 dollars.
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