Cabinet Reshuffle Expected Before Aug. 15
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak is expected to discuss a planned Cabinet reshuffle, as well as measures to address regional and ideological divisions, with his aides during his summer vacation.
Lee will enjoy the vacation at a local resort until Thursday. He will spend time reading books, playing tennis and playing with his grandchildren, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
During the holidays, Lee will also discuss how to govern the nation amid the deepening political instability that has followed the passage of media-related bills at the National Assembly on July 22.
Speculation has been growing that Lee may replace some Cabinet ministers and presidential secretaries before Liberation Day on Aug. 15.
In his speech to mark the occasion, the President is expected to announce measures to stabilize the livelihood of ordinary people, resolve political divisions and address North Korea's nuclear threats, his aides said.
Lee recently nominated Kim Joon-gyu, former head of the Daejeon High Prosecutor's Office, as the new prosecutor general and Jeong Ho-yeol, a law professor at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, as the new head of the Fair Trade Commission.
Reports have indicated that Cheong Wa Dae may announce a new Cabinet line-up early this month, citing unnamed sources, but presidential spokespeople have denied this.
The Grand National Party recently advised President Lee to pick new people from a broader spectrum, regardless of their academic backgrounds or birthplaces, to draw more supporters and promote national harmony.
It also advised Lee to strengthen the role of the prime minister to share the burden of state management; set up a watchdog to monitor senior government officials and their relatives; and strengthen communication with ordinary people.
``Lee will consider the GNP's proposals, but nothing has been decided about a Cabinet shake-up,'' a presidential spokesman said.