S Korea approves new PM

The South Korean Parliament has approved by a large majority the leader of the ruling Uri Party, Lee Hae-chan, as the new Prime Minister.

Mr Lee was picked by President Roh Moo-hyun to succeed Goh Kun, who resigned last month.

Mr Lee, a former education minister, spent several years in jail for opposing the military regimes of the 1970s and 80s.

He has described himself as having a reform disposition.

Correspondents say President Roh is expected to delegate some of his powers to Mr Lee.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service