Next Month’s Cabinet Reshuffle to Affect Up to 7 Portfolios


By Oh Young-jin
Staff Reporter
A Cabinet reshuffle expected later in June is to determine the color and shape of President Roh Moo-hyun’s governance for the next four years, analysts and sources said on Sunday.

There are a couple of key points to watch out for in the forthcoming reshuffle.

The first is who will be appointed as prime minister, the second regards the scope of a shakeup, and the third is how it will affect ``star’’ ministers of Roh’s inaugural Cabinet.

According to political analysts, the shakeup will be a medium-sized one affecting five to seven portfolios, about one fifth to one third of 20-odd posts at stake.

The posts that are likely to go up for grabs include ministers of unification, national defense, agriculture and forestry, gender equality, culture and tourism, health and welfare, information and communication and, construction and transportation as well as the post of the prime minister.

As for the prime minister, a consensus is that the most likely candidate is Kim Hyuck-kyu, former South Kyongsang Province governor who defected from the opposition Grand National Party (GNP) and joined the ruling Uri Party.

Even before he was reinstated by the Constitutional Court last week, Roh let it become known through his aides that he wants Kim to head a new Cabinet. Kim was elected through a proportional system in the April 15 general elections and booked a seat in the incoming National Assembly.

Kim would be the first ``CEO-type’’ prime minister in the country who has not only ability to take care of administrative affairs but is also more inclined to push ahead with Roh’s reform agenda.

Outgoing Prime Minister Goh Kun was chosen for his expertise in state affairs but lacks the image of a reformer, a factor that was suitable to counterbalance Roh’s reform-first tendency at the start of his administration.

Therefore, Kim’s appointment would mean that Roh is ready to throw caution to the wind and push ahead with his reform agenda.

The only problem with Kim is that the GNP objects to him and they are threatening to thwart his confirmation. According to Roh’s aides, however, Roh has made up his mind about Kim and the GNP has no valid grounds to oppose Kim’s appointment, pointing out that Kim has served three terms as governor of the province that is the GNP’s regional stronghold.

Also drawing public attention are the four key players of the ruling party _ chairman Chung Dong-young, floor leader Chun Jung-bae, reformist Shin Ki-nam and human rights activist-turned-politician Kim Geun-tae, all of whom are regarded as being placed within a shot of the next presidency as Roh’s successor.

Chung is weighing the pros and cons but it is highly likely that he will join the Cabinet as minister of a future-oriented portfolio such as the minister of information and communication.

According to analysts, Chung could get whatever portfolio he chooses, considering the key role he played in bringing his party the majority in the general elections that perhaps greatly contributed to the court’s decision to reinstate Roh.

Chung has an interest in foreign affairs, unification affairs and culture policies.

Roh’s inaugural Cabinet had a few politicians but the upcoming reshuffle would bring in more. Kim Geun-tae is widely tapped to take the post of unification minister.

Regarding the current economy team headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance-economy Minister Lee Hun-jai, few expect a major shakeup.

First of all, Lee took the job quite recently after repeated requests by Roh.

Secondly, and more importantly, Roh respects the rule in senior appointments that it is not advisable to change horses in the middle of the race.

In other words, the national economy is not in great shape together with a large amount of uncertainty in the global economy _ rising oil prices, shrunken domestic consumption and ballooning private debts.

Under these circumstances, tempering the economy team is the last thing to do, according to experts.

If there is a shakeup, however, Kwon O-kyu, the presidential secretary in charge of policy, would be the first to join the Cabinet.

Economic advisor Cho Yun-jae, who is often dubbed as Roh’s tutor for economic affairs, could be appointed to a prominent post but the chance is that he will stay on the job, sources said.

Other ministers who will go up for a change are Justice Minister Kang Kum-sil and Culture and Tourism Minister Lee Chang-dong. Kang, who is so popular she is being talked about as a candidate for the country’s female first president, has failed to put prosecution under control, which could be a factor for her reshuffle. Shin Ki-nam is being talked about as her successor.

oh@koreatimes.co.kr