Cabinet Shakeup Likely to Be Delayed Further


By Shim Jae-yun
Staff Reporter
Prime Minister Goh Kun on Monday tendered his resignation, refusing to buckle under pressure to pass on recommendations needed to appoint new Cabinet ministers.

As the result, President Roh Moo-hyun is expected to delay the Cabinet reshuffle to late next month, according to Chong Wa Dae officials. It was originally scheduled for this week.

``I have not changed my stand regarding the matter at all,’’ Goh said during a meeting with chief presidential secretary Kim Woo-sik, who visited his office to persuade the prime minister to allow the Cabinet shakeup.

``It is not proper for the outgoing premier to make recommendations in light of the constitutional spirit of naming of Cabinet members,’’ Goh said.

Only hours after his meeting with Kim, the Prime Minister’s Office said that Goh had already tendered his resignation but he would continue his duty until his successor is named. Kim Hyuck-kyu, former governor of South Kyongsang Province, is Roh’s favorite for the new prime minister. Roh applied pressure on Goh to endorse his nominees for new ministers because Kim is unpopular among opposition parties. If the opposition delays Kim’s confirmation, Roh may not appoint his ministers.

Chong Wa Dae will likely have to wait until the middle of next month when a new prime minister is appointed before carrying out a reshuffle.

President Roh is expected to express his intention to accept Goh’s resignation during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

``It seems that Goh really wants to be remembered as a prime minister who abided by principles under all circumstances,’’ an official said.

In a briefing, Senior Presidential Secretary Jeong Chan-yong indicated that the scope of a reshuffle may be expanded to affect more than three Cabinet portfolios if it is delayed until next month including the defense ministry.

Earlier, Jeong created a stir by saying that the president had the sole right to handle personnel changes, apparently infuriating Goh.

Roh has been seeking to designate former Uri Party chairman Chung Dong-young as the new unification minister while tapping former Uri Party floor leader Kim Geun-tae as minister of health and welfare.

jayshim@koreatimes.co.kr