SEOUL, June 17 (UPI) -- South Korean prime minister nominee Kim Min-seok on Tuesday rebuffed calls for his withdrawal by the opposition party over past political funding scandals and vowed to pursue "the politics of inclusion" in a deeply polarized climate.
Kim, who was nominated for the prime minister's office by recently elected President Lee Jae-myung, is expected to undergo a parliamentary confirmation hearing next week.
The conservative opposition People Power Party is calling for him to step aside, however, citing convictions for receiving illegal political donations in 2002 and 2008. He is also facing additional allegations of illegal fundraising as well as accusations of nepotism.
The 61-year-old four-term lawmaker has said the charges are politically motivated and on Tuesday vowed to work with the opposition even as his liberal Democratic Party holds a large majority in the National Assembly.
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