ABU DHABI ― President Park Geun-hye named Lee Seok-soo, a former special counsel who led an investigation into allegations over her predecessor’s retirement home, as an independent inspector tasked with checking on president’s relatives and senior officials at Cheong Wa Dae.

Granting an independent internal investigative right to a special inspector was one of Park’s campaign pledges.

He was appointed as he has built a “rich legal career” with 22 years of service as a prosecutor as well as his experience as a deputy special counsel who probed into former President Lee Myung-bak’s family over his retirement home in Naegok-dong, southern Seoul.

They were accused of violating real estate laws and misappropriating taxpayers’ money. The former president later scrapped the project and decided to move into his existing private house in Nonhyeon-dong in southern Seoul after leaving office.

Lee will be subject to a confirmation hearing at the parliament to test his suitability for the job.

He was one of candidates recommended for the post by the National Assembly.

“We expect to prevent those who are subject to inspection from committing any irregular activities and bring an opportunity to nurture integrity in officialdom,” Park’s spokesman Min Kyung-wook said.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)