Moon appoints new prime minister

SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in authorized the appointment of South Korea's new prime minister, Chung Sye-kyun, Tuesday, Cheong Wa Dae announced.

Moon is scheduled to give him a letter of appointment in a Cheong Wa Dae ceremony slated to open at 2:30 p.m.

Chung, a former National Assembly speaker and ruling party leader, will be sworn in at a separate event starting at 4:30 p.m. at the main government office complex in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul.

In his press conference earlier Tuesday, Moon said he would grant the prime minister a greater administrative role and authority.

On Monday night, the National Assembly passed the confirmation motion for Chung during a plenary session although lawmakers with the main opposition Liberty Korea Party voted to reject it.

Chung led the National Assembly for two years through the end of May 2018.

lcd@yna.co.kr
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