President Roh Moo-hyun plans to conduct a reshuffle affecting up to five portfolios next week, Chong Wa Dae officials said on Wednesday.
Likely to face a change are four or five ministers, including Defense Minister Cho Young-kil, Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun and Culture and Tourism Minister Lee Chang-dong, they said.

As his last task in the post, Prime Minister Goh Kun will exercise his right to recommend new ministers to Roh as called for in relevant laws.

Kim Hyuck-kyu, former governor of South Kyongsang Province and lawmaker-elect of the ruling Uri Party, will likely be named as Goh’s successor. Kim will need the Assembly’s endorsement to make his appointment official.

The reshuffle was originally scheduled for next month but has been hastened as Chung Dong-young stepped down from his post as chairman of the ruling Uri Party and decided to join the Cabinet, presidential aides said.

Chung is contesting the job of unification minister with Kim Geun-tae, a Uri Party lawmaker. Anyone bumped from a post is likely to be appointed as culture and tourism minister.

Roh will host a dinner for senior Uri leaders for consultations over the reshuffle at Chong Wa Dae on Thursday.