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Staff Reporter
The nation's top cultural policymaker urged left-leaning leaders of cultural organizations appointed under the Roh Moo-hyun administration to step down, Wednesday.
In a speech at the Gwanghwamun Culture Forum at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Yu In-chon, the minister of culture, sports and tourism, said those ``who have their own philosophies, styles and originality will step down voluntarily. Keeping their posts (when the former President Roh's administration is over) is like betraying their lives.''
His remarks came after Ahn Sang-soo, the floor leader of the governing Grand National Party (GNP), pressed cronies of former President Roh to quit their posts so that they do not become a hindrance to the new administration.
The opposition United Democratic Party criticized the minister for plotting to oust ``democratic'' forces.
Some 30 public organizations come under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, including the Korea Culture and Content Agency and the Korean Film Council. Its heads, appointed under the previous administration, are considered progressives, but the new government has conservative-leanings. Thus, Yu's rather blunt remarks are expected to bring about repercussions. Among 30 organization heads, the tenure of six runs through 2010.
Park Rae-boo, the chairman of the Korea Press Foundation, made it clear that he will complete his tenure through 2010 in keeping with the law and regulations.
Yu has said that he will restore dismantled pressrooms as soon as possible.
Additionally, the minister said the restoration of Sungnyemun (Namdaemun), destroyed by fire, and the preservation of other national treasures would be given top priority.
Yu was a prominent actor before moving into politics, starring in various movies, dramas and musicals during his 30-year career. His friendship with President Lee Myung-bak began when he portrayed Lee in the TV drama ``Years of Ambition'' in 1990.
sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr
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