Prime Minister to be Named Early Next Week

Joo Ho-young, spokesman for President-elect Lee Myung-bak, said on Friday that the president-elect would announce his nominee for prime minister early next week.

“Detailed background verification has yet to be completed. In addition, we have yet to complete the necessary confirmation proceedings,” Joo said in a briefing.

Although Han Seung-soo, the U.N. secretary general’s special envoy on climate change, is mostly likely to be nominated for the government’s no. 2 post, his official nomination will be announced when a comprehensive verification process, which officially began on Tuesday, confirms his qualifications.

The president-elect met with Han on Thursday in a government ministry to discuss new government policies. Lee also plans to meet former foreign minister Han Seung-joo, who is also considered a candidate for the prime minister’s post.

swpark@donga.com