S.Korea parliament endorses new prime minister

SEOUL (AFP) – South Korea's parliament on Monday endorsed the appointment of economics professor Chung Un-Chan as prime minister despite strong objections by opposition parties.

Parliamentary officials said Chung, 63, was approved 164 to nine in a vote boycotted by opposition legislators.

President Lee Myung-Bak named Chung, who has a doctorate from Princeton and has taught economics at Seoul National University for more than 20 years, as his prime minister on September 3.

But opposition parties have refused to endorse Chung, partly because of his lukewarm comments about plans to relocate some ministries and administrative bodies to a new city known as Sejong City in the centre of the country.

In a confirmation hearing in parliament last week, Chung described the project as inefficient and suggested the government seek alternative plans.

The new city project was pushed by Lee's predecessor as president, Roh Moo-Hyun.

The ruling Grand National Party holds a majority of 167 seats in the 299-member National Assembly, while the main opposition Democratic Party has 83.