President Park Geun-hye's pick for top prosecutor vowed to protect political neutrality Thursday as it emerged as a key issue in the ongoing confirmation hearing for the nominee.

Kim Soo-nam, deputy head of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, has been nominated to replace Prosecutor General Kim Jin-tae whose two-year term expires in early December.

"I will handle every case in accordance with the law and the principle after taking into account the people's voice that political neutrality should be protected," Kim said during a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly.

The 56-year-old nominee is required to go through the confirmation hearing, though the National Assembly's approval is not necessary for his appointment.

The main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy lawmakers grilled Kim over his morality and ability to head the prosecution office, citing some controversial cases that he oversaw.

The ruling Saenuri party, however, praised Kim as the right person to address the country's abnormalities by leading the prosecution with his stern and rational leadership. (Yonhap)