President Park Geun-hye has nominated Kim Jin-tae, a former deputy chief at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, as the single candidate to become the nation's new chief prosecutor, a presidential spokesman said Sunday.

   A nine-member government committee last week recommended Kim and three other candidates for prosecutor general to Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, nearly a month after Chae Dong-wook stepped down from the post under pressure from allegations of marital infidelity.

   Presidential spokesman Lee Jung-hyun said in a press briefing that Park has chosen the 60-year-old Kim as the final candidate for her government's new prosecutor general, seeking to normalize operations at the prosecution by filling the vacuum as early as possible. Park also seeks to have the prosecutors conduct a fair investigation into outstanding cases, the spokesman said.

   "Kim has held key posts of the prosecution, including as an acting prosecutor general. He is widely respected in the prosecution due to his abundant experience and upright character," said Lee.

   The nominee for prosecutor general is expected to undergo a parliamentary confirmation hearing in the second week of November at the earliest.

   Former Prosecutor General Chae resigned last month amid a scandal surrounding allegations that he fathered a son through an extramarital affair in 2002. (Yonhap)