Parliament issues report on top tax official nominee

SEOUL, July 15 (Yonhap) -- A parliamentary committee on Wednesday released a report on the results of its confirmation hearing for President Lee Myung-bak's nominee for new tax chief, as opposition parties continue to raise ethical questions about the nominee.

Baek Yong-ho, 52, former chairman of the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), was
designated as new chief of the National Tax Service (NTS) on June 21. Baek had
long served as a policy adviser to Lee prior to his presidential election in
2007.
The parliamentary report, compiled by the National Assembly's Strategy and
Finance Committee, says the nominee has contributed to building fair competition
rules as FTC chief and is deemed "competent enough" to serve as the top tax
official.
The report also reflected opposition lawmakers' concerns about Baek's ethical
standards, expertise and political neutrality. Throughout the confirmation
hearing last week, Baek was beleaguered by suspicions of unethical property
speculation and tax evasion. His lack of experience in tax administration was
another major issue raised by the opposition.
The top NTS post has remained vacant for six months since Han Sang-ryul retired
amid a bribery scandal in January.