South Korea's new PM vetoed

Chang issued an apology on Sunday over the unpaid tax

SEOUL, South Korea -- South Korea's government has been dealt another blow, after parliament rejected President Kim Dae-jung's second nominee for prime minister.

Less than four months away from a presidential election, prime minister-designate Chang Dae-whan was rejected in a 151-112 vote Wednesday. There were three abstentions.

The 50-year old former newspaper executive had been grilled during three days of parliamentary hearings concerning company loans and a land deal where Chang failed to pay tax.

Chang's rejection as premier has further dented the standing of Kim, whose single five-year term ends in February.

The president's first nominee for the post was also rejected last month by the National Assembly.

AUDIO CNN's Sohn Jie-Ae has more on the rejection of Chang as South Korea's prime minister. 658KB / 1:01 min WAV sound   MORE STORIES • Opposition gains control in S. Korea  • S. Korea rejects first female PM     CNN.com Asia More news from our Asia edition

That candidate, Chang Sang -- a university president -- would have been South Korea's first female premier, but was vetoed because of lawmakers' concerns over her ethical standards. (Full story)

Earlier this month, South Korea's main opposition party, the Grand National Party (GNP), took control of parliament after a landslide by-election victory. (Full story)

The party has attacked Kim and his Millennium Democratic Party over a series of corruption scandals involving government officials and two of his three sons.

The GNP also has a much tougher stance against North Korea and has criticized Kim for his rapprochement policies with South Korea's northern neighbor.

Kim, 77, is unable to run in the December elections because the constitution limits the president to a single term.

Reuters contributed to this report.