PM dispels rumors of resignation

By Lee Tae-hoon

Staff reporter

Prime Minister Chung Un-chan denied speculation Monday that he may soon step down to take responsibility for the ruling party's defeat in the June 2 local elections.

"I'm not afraid of leaving the post, but, for the time being, I will focus on overcoming the challenges that the nation faces," Chung said during an interpellation session at the National Assembly.

Earlier in the day, President Lee Myung-bak pledged to reshuffle the Cabinet and the presidential secretariat, but refrained from specifying on the timing.

"I will be able to throw away all worries if I step down now. But there remain urgent state issues that should be addressed without delay," the prime minister said.

Chung also denied recent media reports that he had a failed, one-on-one meeting with President Lee Myung-bak in an attempt to propose a major reshuffle of the Cabinet and presidential aides.

Chung said he has frequently met with the President since he took office late September to discuss a range of issues, including a change of staff, and it was completely inaccurate to report that he ended up failing to suggest a major reshuffle to the President in private talks.

Chung also refused to step down when lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), including Rep. Chun Byung-hun, called on him to immediately resign.

The prime minister expressed his intention to stand down on June 3, a day after the defeat in the elections, but the President refused to accept his resignation, saying he needs to take some more time to consider it.

On that same day, leaders of the GNP, including its Chairman Chung Mong-joon, and Chung Chung-kil, the presidential chief of staff, also expressed their intention to step down to take responsibility for the defeat.

The GNP only managed to secure six of the 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial posts, whereas the DP won seven and the Liberty Forward Party won one. The remaining two seats went to independents.