Asia-Pacific News
South Korea's president takes second stab at nominating premier
Sep 16, 2010, 10:14 GMT
Seoul - South Korea's chief state auditor was nominated Thursday to be the next prime minister after the president's first pick withdrew over ethics charges.
President Lee Myung Bak chose Kim Hwang Sik, who also had a long career as a senior judge, for the post, which has been vacant for six weeks.
The nomination came two and a half weeks after prime minister designate Kim Tae Ho withdrew from consideration after he was accused of illegally obtaining a loan for his campaigns, evading taxes and lying about his contacts with a businessman accused of bribery.
He was supposed to replace Chung Un Chan, who resigned at the end of July after 10 months in office over a key legislative defeat.
Changing prime ministers mid-term is not unusual in South Korea, where it is the president who makes the most important decisions.
The National Assembly still has to give the go-ahead to Kim's nomination.
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