[Yonhap News Photo]
President Moon Jae-in cleared a political hurdle after South Korea's parliament endorsed his pick for prime minister in a vote that paved the way for the launch of a new cabinet three weeks after the liberal president took office.
Lee Nak-yon, a journalist-turned provincial governor, became the first figurehead prime minister of the Moon administration with support from 164 lawmakers.
Lee's official appointment required consent from a majority of votes in the 299-member National Assembly. The ruling Democratic Party holds 120 seats while the People's Party, an opposition party formed by Moon's former colleagues, has 40 seats.
Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
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