South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun on Friday named Han Myung-sook, a female lawmaker of the ruling Uri Party, as new prime minister, according to the Presidential Office.

If the nomination of Han is approved by the country's National Assembly later, she will be the country's first female prime minister.

"Han has devoted herself to the causes of women's rights, environment and democracy over the past 30 years," said Lee Byung-wan, chief of staff of the Presidential Office, when announcing the nomination.

"She has also had sufficient experiences in state administration while serving as a cabinet minister in recent years. As a two-term lawmaker, Han has also contributed to dialogue and compromise between the ruling and opposition parties," Lee said.

Lee said the president expects "smooth leadership and powerful implementation of policies" from Han.
 
Han, 62, served as minister of environment between 2003 and 2004 in the Roh Moo-hyun's administration.

She was also appointed as the first minister of gender equality in 2001 by then South Korean President Kim Dae-jung.

The nominee for prime minister in South Korea is required to undergo a parliamentary confirmation hearing and obtain approval from a majority of the National Assembly.

It is the second time for South Korea to make effort to have a female premier.

In September 2002, Kim Dae-jung nominated Chang Sang, former president of Ehwa Womans University, as prime minister. But her nomination was rejected by the National Assembly.

Han's nomination came 10 days after South Korean former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan stepped down from the post due to the so-called "golf scandal."

Lee resigned to take responsibility for playing golf game with a group of businessmen on March 1, when thousands of workers of the state-run railway company started strike.

Besides, one of those businessmen later was found to have criminal records. And criticism against Lee intensified after the golf game was found involved in betting.

(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2006)