Park asks parliament again to confirm police chief nominee

President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday requested again that the National Assembly adopt its report on the confirmation of a police chief nominee, her aides said, a legal step to accelerate the process of officially appointing him.

On Aug. 2, Park requested that the legislature conduct a confirmation hearing on Lee Cheol-seong, currently deputy commissioner general of the National Police Agency, and adopt a report on the nomination.

But the adoption of a confirmation report has been delayed as opposition parties called on the president to withdraw the nomination, citing a series of Lee's ethical lapses, including his past record of drunk driving.

By law, the legislature is to finish its deliberation on a top-office nominee within 20 days of the president's request for a confirmation process.

Beyond the time limit, the president can make another request.

But if the legislature refuses again to adopt a confirmation report, the president can appoint the nominee without parliamentary consent.

Lee is expected to be appointed as early as Wednesday.

Lee, if appointed, will succeed Kang Sin-myeong whose two-year term ended Tuesday. (Yonhap)