The National Assembly has approved the appointment of Chung Un-chan as prime minister.

In a vote held Monday in a plenary session, 164 of 177 lawmakers present, all from the ruling Grand National Party, voted in favor of Chung's appointment.

When the voting began, opposition lawmakers from the Democratic Party and the Liberty Forward Party left the main hall in apparent opposition to Chung's nomination.

Before the voting, opposition lawmakers clearly expressed their opposition to Chung, saying he is not qualified as prime minister citing questions about his moral character.

The ruling party, however, urged the opposition to stop attacking the Lee Myung-bak administration, saying Chung has no significant flaws which could hinder his ability to man the post of prime minister.

[Photo : ]