By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak replaced the police and intelligence chiefs as well as the ambassador to the United States before a planned Cabinet reshuffle.
Han Duck-soo, who served as prime minister and finance minister during the liberal governments of Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, was named as ambassador to the United States, Cheong Wa Dae officials said Sunday. Han will replace Lee Tae-shik.
In a reshuffle of key state agencies, Won Sei-hoon, minister of public administration and security, was appointed to head the National Intelligence Service, replacing Kim Sung-ho.
Kim Seok-ki, chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, was promoted to replace Eo Cheong-soo as the nation's police chief at the recommendation of a police screening committee, they said.
Both Won and Kim will undergo a non-binding National Assembly confirmation hearing.
Cheong Wa Dae accepted the resignation tendered by Han Sang-ryule, chief of the National Tax Service (NTS), last Thursday, amid allegations that he bribed his predecessor with a painting worth 30 million won.
A successor has yet to be decided on. Incumbent NTS deputy commissioner Hur Byung-ik will serve as acting commissioner for the time being, according to the officials.
Han Sang-ryule was recently reprimanded for playing golf with aides to the President's brother, Rep. Lee Sang-deuk of the governing party.
The game was also considered an attempt at gaining influence peddling for him to retain his post or to become a minister.
President Lee is expected to conduct a Cabinet reshuffle after Lunar New Year's Day, which falls on Jan. 26, ahead of his second year in office, the officials said.
Lee has been under pressure from both the governing Grand National Party and opposition parties to reorganize the government which has seen its popularity slide to around 20 percent in recent months.
Han, who was designated ambassador to Washington, currently chairs a committee on measures to meet a free trade agreement with the United States (KORUS FTA).
Won, known as an ``MB man,'' worked as a senior official of the Seoul City administration when Lee served as mayor between 2002 and 2006.
Eo had been under constant pressure to step down from civic groups and opposition parties after ordering a crackdown on candlelit ``vigils'' against resumed U.S. beef imports, and his pro-Christian remarks.
According to government sources, most presidential aides will likely retain their jobs.
However, about six to five ministers including Strategy and Finance Minister Kang Man-soo and Unification Minister Kim Ha-joong may be replaced.