Rival parties have failed to keep the legal deadline for voting on the confirmation of Prime Minister-nominee Hwang Kyo-ahn. Under the law, Hwang’s nomination had to be put to a parliamentary vote by Monday.

The floor leaders from the two main political parties remained apart on scheduling a voting session during their meeting with National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa on Monday.

The ruling Saenuri Party pledged to pass the confirmation bill Wednesday at the latest before parliamentary interpellation sessions begin Thursday.

The main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy opposes the confirmation of Hwang as prime minister, claiming he is unfit for the No. 2 post in the administration. NPAD floor leader Rep. Lee Jong-kul said Monday a full review would need to be made by Thursday to decide on whether to put Hwang’s nomination to a parliamentary vote.

It is true Hwang’s qualifications as prime minister have been under serious question. During the three-day confirmation hearing last week, he was accused of having assumed controversial cases as a lawyer and having been exempted from mandatory military service for a dubious reason. In a public survey conducted after the hearing, only a third of respondents said Hwang was fit for the prime minister’s job.

The negative view of Hwang’s qualifications, however, cannot be a reason for blocking a parliamentary vote. The opposition party should not further delay the vote. It would fit democratic principles for lawmakers to express their objection by casting ballots.

The ruling party has 160 members of the 300-seat parliament, a majority that allows it to unilaterally confirm Hwang as the third prime minister under President Park Geun-hye’s administration. But the move should be preceded by a measure by the Assembly speaker to put the confirmation bill to a vote. Chung has called on the main parties to reach an agreement by early Thursday.

Despite the negative sentiment, the public is likely to accept Hwang’s confirmation as necessary, given the prime minister’s post has been left vacant for two months with the country struggling to contain the spread of Middle East respiratory syndrome and settle other crucial matters. Still, Hwang, who resigned as justice minister Saturday, needs to apologize for his alleged ethical lapses and vow to devote himself to the public interest before taking over his new job.