(LEAD) Yoon appoints Han as prime minister after parliamentary confirmation
(ATTN: ADDS more info in last para; RECASTS 2nd para; CHANGES photo)
SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- President Yoon Suk-yeol officially appointed Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Saturday after an opposition-controlled National Assembly confirmed him the previous day following nearly 50 days of partisan wrangling over his suitability.
Yoon conferred an appointment certificate on Han in the morning at the presidential office in Seoul.

President Yoon Suk-yeol (L) shakes hands with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo after conferring an appointment certificate on Han at the presidential office in Seoul on May 21, 2022. (Yonhap)
Han took the country's No. 2 government post for the second time. The 72-year-old previously served as prime minister during the liberal Roh Moo-hyun administration from 2007 to 2008.
During his confirmation hearing, Han said stabilizing the economy for ordinary people's livelihoods will be his top priority.
His appointment is expected to give much-needed momentum to the fledgling Yoon administration facing a series of tasks, including a recovery from COVID-19 and rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula sparked by continued North Korean provocations.
Meanwhile, Han, along with some presidential aides, plans to attend a memorial service for late former President Roh Moo-hyun set to take place in the southern town of Bonghwa on Monday, according to Han.
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
BTS' J-Hope tries long hair in photo book to be released this month
-
Ruling party, gov't mulling expanding heating bill support for middle class
-
DP hits back at Yoon's office over stock manipulation allegations involving first lady
-
Candidate registration opens for PPP leadership race
-
(LEAD) Candidate registration opens for PPP leadership race
-
DP hits back at Yoon's office over stock manipulation allegations involving first lady
-
Jay Park's Won Soju to be sold in U.S.
-
(2nd LD) Search under way for 9 missing after fishing boat capsizes
-
(LEAD) Ahn calls off campaigning activities amid row with Yoon's office
-
Ruling party, gov't mulling expanding heating bill support for middle class
-
BTS fails to win Grammy for 3rd consecutive year
-
Son Heung-min partially wins lawsuit filed by former agent
-
S. Korea closely watching N. Korea's 'increased' activities to prepare for military parade: Seoul official
-
(LEAD) 23 Thai tourists out of contact after arriving in Muan Int'l Airport
-
Apparent N.K. weather balloon enters S. Korean airspace earlier this week: Seoul's military