A feminist lawmaker is to become South Korea's first ever woman prime minister, the president's office announced on Friday.
President Roh Moo-Hyun decided to nominate Han Myung-Sook, a lawmaker from the ruling Uri Party, for the vacant post, a presidential official told the agency.
"Han Myung-Sook was appointed prime minister today," said presidential secretariat chief Lee Byung-Wan. The appointment is subject to parliamentary approval.
Two-term lawmaker Han, 61, served as minister of gender equality in 2001 and environment minister in 2003.
She was nominated to the top cabinet post ahead of Kim Byong-Joon, a former politics professor, who is currently serving as policy planner on Roh's presidential staff.
The post of prime minister was vacated last week by Lee Hae-Chan, who stepped down in disgrace after apologising for playing golf on March 1, the first day of a crippling national railway strike.
Lee was criticized for failing to help resolve the strike and also for his choice of golf partners.
One of the businessmen had a criminal record.
Golf, which has gained popularity in South Korea, is still regarded as a sport for the privileged with golf club membership seen as a ticket to acceptance among the social elite.
{{/usCountry}}Golf, which has gained popularity in South Korea, is still regarded as a sport for the privileged with golf club membership seen as a ticket to acceptance among the social elite.
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