President Lee Myung-bak pledged Monday to review policy priorities and revamp his Cabinet system for a fresh start after his governing party's crushing defeat in the nationwide elections two weeks ago.
"I take seriously the public sentiment shown through the elections this time," Lee said in a televised speech, breaking his long silence on the results of the June 2 local elections. "From now on, I will listen to the voice of change the people want."
The president said he will reshuffle the presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, and the Cabinet, as well as reset policy priorities as part of efforts to strengthen his centrist pragmatic campaign friendly to low- and middle-income households.
"I will reorganize Cheong Wa Dae and the Cabinet more effectively and draw up a line-up to be suitable for it," he added.
He fell short of specifying a timeline for his plans, while Cheong Wa Dae insiders said the change of senior presidential secretaries will be made as soon as early next month. They said the Cabinet shake-up will be conducted after the parliamentary by-elections slated for July 28.
On his controversial push to create a business hub in the central city of Sejong instead of an originally proposed administrative town, Lee hinted at an "exit strategy."
"I ask the National Assembly to decide on the issue," he said, demanding lawmakers vote on the revision bill during the ongoing parliamentary session.
"The government will respect a decision made by the National Assembly through voting," he said.
Lee promised to collect more public opinion about another contentious national project to clean and refurbish the country's four major rivers.