S Korean president to reshuffle Cabinet this week

2008-6-16  |     ONLINE EDITION

SOUTH Korean President Lee Myung-bak is likely to reshuffle the Cabinet and presidential secretariat this week, presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said today.

"The broad picture of President Lee's new government will take shape this week. The work to shake up the Cabinet and the presidential secretariat is now in the final phase," spokesman Lee said.

"The upcoming shakeup will also include a revision of the current administrative structure, including the creation of new presidential secretaries in charge of public information," Yonhap said citing a ranking official at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.

Sources at Cheong Wa Dae disclosed that the president seems determined to replace the prime minister and half a dozen ministers involved in the unpopular US beef import deal, including Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun and Health and Welfare Minister Kim Soung-yee, according to the news agency.

Yesterday, President Lee said he will fully reflect the people's wishes in the upcoming reorganization of his government.