hankyoreh

President Lee Myung-bak Wednesday appointed former Justice Minister Kim Sung-ho as the new chief of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and Choi Si-jung, one of his most trusted advisors, as the new chairman of the Broadcasting and Communications Commission (BCC).

Kim was nominated as Lee's first spy chief in late February but failed to undergo the National Assembly's confirmation hearing due to rival parties' opposition stemming from an allegation that he had received bribes from Samsung Group while serving as a senior prosecutor years ago in return for favors to Samsung in criminal probes.

Under the current law, the president can appoint Cabinet ministers and other minister-level officials, including the heads of NIS and BCC, if political parties fail to hold a confirmation hearing for over 20 days after their nominations are reported to the Assembly.

The 58-year-old Kim, formerly a veteran prosecutor, served as justice minister under the administration of Roh Moo-hyun, Lee's predecessor, for one year until last August.

The opposition parties have refused to issue an opinion on Choi after accusing him of being involved in real estate speculation and other irregularities during the parliamentary confirmation hearing.

SEOUL, March 26 (Yonhap)