Second-term lawmaker Hong Il-pyo was named the new spokesperson for the ruling Saenuri Party Monday, taking the place of Rep. Kim Young-woo, who stepped down over the weekend.

Kim resigned as calls for leadership to take responsibility for the cash-for-nomination allegation grew. A Saenuri Party lawmaker is currently under investigation for allegedly paying a former key member for parliamentary nomination in April.

Hong, a former judge at the Incheon District Court, has been known to be reform-forward.

“I feel the heavy responsibility of taking on this post at such a critical time. I will, in particular, work on raising the support for the party from the younger and moderate voters in their 20s and 40s,” Hong said in his first news briefing as spokesman.

(jhl@heraldcorp.com)