S. Korea shakes out cabinet but keeps key ministers
S. Korea shakes out cabinet but keeps key ministers
SEOUL (Reuter): South Korean President Kim Young-sam carried out a cabinet reshuffle yesterday but kept foreign, defense and key economic ministers, a presidential spokesman said.
Kim also retained Prime Minister Koh Kun in the shakeout affecting half of the 22-member cabinet.
"This reshuffle reflects President Kim's intention to pursue economic and securities policies effectively, while managing the Dec. 15 presidential election in a strict, fair manner," spokesman Yoon Yeo-joon said.
He said seven of those dropped from the cabinet were members of the ruling New Korea Party. They were ministers for agriculture, environment, health and welfare, maritime affairs and government administration as well as two political affairs ministers.
Home Affairs Minister Kang Oon-tae was replaced by former government administration minister Cho Hae-nyoung and Justice Minister Choi Sang-yup by senior prosecutor Kim Jong-koo.
Opposition parties have asked Kim to appoint new home affairs and justice ministers as Kang and Choi had been deeply involved in formulating election-related policies.
Government officials said Kim kept ministers responsible for foreign and security policies ahead of crucial four-nation talks, involving the two Koreas, the United States and China.
They are Deputy Prime Minister and National Unification Minister Kwon O-kie, Foreign Minister Yoo Chong-ha and Defense Minister Kim Dong-jin.
The talks are aimed at hammering out a lasting peace on the Korean peninsula, the last Cold War flash point, by replacing the 1953 armistice that ended the three-year Korean War.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kang Kyong-shik retained his post despite the fact that he is a member of the ruling party. Kang said he would quit the party soon.
Kang and Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Lim Chang-yeul stayed in the cabinet as the president wanted the continuity of current economic policies, Kim's aide said.
South Korea has pledged to press ahead with reforms to introduce greater competition and modernize the financial industry despite financial woes involving some major industrial conglomerates.
In the latest of a string of South Korean businesses pushed to the brink of insolvency, the Jinro Group, the country's eighth largest conglomerate, is currently fighting with its creditors to defend itself from a third-party takeover.
Kia has run into financial difficulties after expanding massively in its steel unit while its auto-making flagship was hit by slumping sales.