By Alex Jensen
SEOUL
South Korean President Park Geun-hye finally found a new second-in-command Monday, months after Prime Minister Chung Hong-won offered to resign following last April's Sewol ferry disaster.
Park's first two picks to succeed Chung failed to earn parliamentary approval due to claims of ethical lapses.
Then last month, the president put forward a seemingly more straightforward candidate in ruling Saenuri Party floor leader Lee Wan-koo.
But as suspicions arose surrounding the PM nominee's wealth, in addition to military draft-dodging allegations, a tape emerged of Lee boasting of his media connections and threatening journalists over unfavorable reports.
Having initially denied making the comments, Lee blamed sleep deprivation as he issued an apology earlier this month.
The main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy demanded that he drop his candidacy, while the Saenuri Party agreed to put Lee's confirmation motion on hold rather than use its majority status to force through his endorsement.
Despite concerns that the NPAD would boycott Monday's session, Lee gained parliamentary approval in the end by 148-128.
Only half of the National Assembly's 295 lawmakers had to be present for the vote to be valid - but the fact that opposition representatives took part bodes well for the government.
Having taken office almost two years ago, Park will need greater parliamentary harmony if she is to fulfill plans to both revive the country's economy and her all-time low approval rating.
