Asia-Pacific

Woman lawmaker Han named S.Korean PM

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-24 13:07

SEOUL - South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun named a member of parliament and former feminist leader prime minister on Friday, the presidential Blue House said.

Han Myung-sook answers a question at a news conference in Seoul in this September 2002 file photo. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun named the member of parliament and former feminist leader prime minister on March 24, 2006, the presidential Blue House said. [Reuters]

Han Myeong-sook, a two-term parliamentarian and former minister for gender equality, would become the first woman prime minister in South Korea if approved by parliament.
She would replace a powerful veteran legislator who quit over a golfing gaffe.

Han's selection, announced by the Blue House, comes ahead of elections to choose provincial governors, mayors and county officers on May 31.

Han's image as a moderate and a relative absence of expected disapproval from opposition parties played highly in Roh's decision to nominate her, a Blue House official said.

If confirmed, Han will take over from Lee Hae-chan, a five-term member of the unicameral National Assembly with the ruling Uri Party and a close confidant of Roh. Lee quit over criticism for playing golf with businessmen on a public holiday while a railway strike caused transport chaos.

South Korean prime ministers are usually figureheads under strong presidents, although Roh gave Lee sweeping power on domestic policy.

Under South Korean law, parliament must hold a confirmation hearing within 15 days of receiving a presidential request and vote on the nomination within 20 days.

Han is the second woman in South Korea to be nominated to the post. The previous nominee, Chang Sang, under former President Kim Dae-jung, was rejected by parliament.
Unlike some nominees for prime minister under previous presidents, Han will not take office in a preliminary capacity until parliamentary approval, the Blue House official said.