President Park Geun-hye's nominee for chief of the nation's antitrust watchdog won parliamentary approval Friday following a confirmation hearing that tested his suitability for the job.

Noh Dae-lae, a former senior finance ministry official and former head of the state arms procurement agency, was tapped by the president last month to lead the Fair Trade Commission after Park's first nominee resigned over allegations that he kept secret overseas bank accounts in order to evade taxes.

In Thursday's confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, lawmakers questioned the nominee over his professional abilities and alleged ethical lapses, including tax evasion.

"Over the past 33 years that he has worked in various public posts, Noh has gained plenty of experience in drawing up and controlling economic policies," lawmakers on the parliamentary committee for political affairs said in a joint report adopted Friday.

"It is our assessment that he will be able to solve the pile of current issues, including economic democratization, given his firm belief in pushing for the (new administration's) task of establishing a market economy based on principles."

However, the report also noted that Noh has little experience in handling issues related to fair trade, and faces allegations of ethical lapses, including tax evasion and suspicious stock purchases.

The parliament's approval of Noh completes the series of confirmation hearings for the first batch of senior government officials to serve under President Park, who took office on Feb. 25. (Yonhap News)