"There's no person like you to be suitable for the post under the current political situations of the country," the president said. "And I thought that the value I intended to achieve through your role is far more important than the controversy related to the division of three powers."

Having been in charge of operating the National Assembly for two years through May in 2018, Chung is expected to help pull off "cooperative politics" based on dialogue, Moon added. Chung, a six-term lawmaker, once led the ruling Democratic Party and served as commerce and industry minister as well.

Moon took note of Chung's "gentle" image among ruling and opposition party lawmakers.

Before entering the political world, Chung also worked as an executive at a local conglomerate.

Moon asked Chung to support the work of Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki, a control tower of the government's economy-related policy.

In his press conference earlier Tuesday, Moon said he would grant the prime minister a greater administrative role and authority.

On Monday night, the National Assembly passed the confirmation motion for Chung during a plenary session although lawmakers with the main opposition Liberty Korea Party voted to reject it. (Yonhap)