Lee formally appoints new justice minister, prosecutor general

(ATTN: UPDATES with Lee's comments in last 2 paras, ADDS photo)
   SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak formally appointed justice minister nominee Kwon Jae-jin and prosecutor general nominee Han Sang-dae to their new posts Friday, an official said.
   The National Assembly held confirmation hearings for the two earlier this month, though Lee does not need parliamentary consent to appoint them.
   The liberal parties have opposed the nominations, citing the candidates' alleged ethical problems and concern that their appointments could undermine the prosecution's political neutrality ahead of next year's parliamentary and presidential elections.
   Before the nomination, Kwon served as a senior presidential secretary.
   After the appointment ceremony, Lee asked Kwon and Han to show their commitment to political neutrality ahead of next year's elections, according to senior presidential spokesman Kim Du-woo.
   Lee also asked the new prosecutor-general to try to thoroughly investigate influence-peddling and other forms of corruption, Kim said.