Asia-Pacific

S.Korea carries out large-scale cabinet reshuffle

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-09 06:32

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Tae-ho (L) listens to South Korean President Lee Myung-bak during Lee's visit to a provincial government building in Changwon in this October 28, 2008 file photo. [Xinhua]

Hong also said Kim was selected due to his experience in the local political community, as he worked with initiative and drive when he served as the governor of the nation's southeastern coastal province.

Kim, after Cheong Wa Dae's announcement of the cabinet's new lineup, vowed to make efforts to accomplish Lee's policy focuses on centrist pragmatism, enhancing services for ordinary people and economy recovery.

He also pledged to play a leading role in the government's efforts on achieving national communication and unity.

Meanwhile, President Lee Myung-bak also sent a signal of maintaining stability of the administration by keeping ministers of foreign affairs, unification and national defense in their positions.

It's widely believed the stay of the chiefs of three major ministries, even after the sinking of a South Korean warship in March, which took 46 sailors' lives and was seen as a biggest naval tragedy in the country, indicates that Lee will continue to maintain consistency of the government's foreign and security strategy.

The ruling GNP welcomed new cabinet lineup, saying the move will contribute to form a more balanced government, and it will greatly help promote mutual understanding between the government and the party, according to the GNP spokesman Ahn Hyoung-hwan, quoted by Seoul's Yonhap News Agency.

However, the opposition parties attacked the reshuffle nominees as "regionally biased", as the Cabinet was filled only with people close to the president.

All cabinet post designates are to go through parliamentary confirmation hearings upon the government's request, according to the South Korean law. But minister nominees are not required to secure the parliamentary endorsement for their appointment.