South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun on Friday nominated former Finance Minister Han Duck-soo as the new prime minister, the Presidential Office said.

Han, 58, will take over the post left by Han Myeong-sook, who formally resigned on Wednesday, if his nomination is approved by the National Assembly after a confirmation hearing.

Han Duck-soo has been serving as a special presidential advisor for free trade agreement affairs since he resigned as finance minister last July.

The President Office said Roh also appointed former presidential civil affairs secretary Moon Jae-in as new presidential chief of staff on Friday.

Moon, 54, will succeed Lee Byung-wan who offered to step down for personal reasons earlier.

Source: Xinhua