Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SEOUL663
2006-03-02 09:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Seoul
how-toVZCZCXYZ0010 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #0663 0610930 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 020930Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6276
UNCLAS SEOUL 000663
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR KS
SUBJECT: ROH ANNOUNCES CABINET RESHUFFLE
REF: SEOUL 632
WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT
-------------------
UNCLAS SEOUL 000663
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR KS
SUBJECT: ROH ANNOUNCES CABINET RESHUFFLE
REF: SEOUL 632
WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT
--------------
1. As previewed in reftel, Roh announced the resignation of
five Cabinet ministers, four of whom will run in the May 31
regional elections. The Blue House announced replacements
for four of the five positions:
- Government Administration and Home Affairs: Lee Yong-seop,
Blue House Senior Secretary for Innovative Management (vice
Oh Young-kyo)
- Maritime & Fisheries: Kim Sung-jin, Director of the Small
and Medium Business Administration (vice Oh Geo-don)
- Information & Communications: Roh Joon-hyung, Vice Minister
of MIC (vice Chin Dae-je)
- Culture & Tourism: Kim Myung-gon, former President of the
National Theater (vice Chung Dong-chae)
- Environment: no replacement named (vice Lee Jae-yong)
The National Assembly will hold non-binding hearings when it
reconvenes for its next extraordinary session in late
March/early April. Vice ministers will serve as acting
ministers until then.
EX-MINISTERS TO RUN FOR OFFICE
--------------
2. Four out of five outgoing Cabinet ministers have
indicated that they will run for key posts in the May 31
nation-wide regional elections: Oh Geo-don for mayor of
Busan; Lee Jae-yong for mayor of Daegu; Oh Young-kyo for
governor of South Chungcheong Province; and Chin Dae-je for
governor of the Gyeonggi Province.
3. A minor controversy has erupted around credible
allegations that, in violation of election law, at least a
couple of the ex-ministers appear to have engaged in campaign
activities while still members of the Cabinet. The
opposition has also accused the Blue House of seriously
undermining the government's neutrality and fairness in
running elections by enlisting incumbent officials for
elections. The Grand National Party (GNP) has demanded that
PM Lee Hae-chan and Justice Minister Chun Jung-bae, both of
whom are leading members of the Uri Party, step down so as to
ensure the impartiality of oversight of the elections.
VERSHBOW
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR KS
SUBJECT: ROH ANNOUNCES CABINET RESHUFFLE
REF: SEOUL 632
WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT
--------------
1. As previewed in reftel, Roh announced the resignation of
five Cabinet ministers, four of whom will run in the May 31
regional elections. The Blue House announced replacements
for four of the five positions:
- Government Administration and Home Affairs: Lee Yong-seop,
Blue House Senior Secretary for Innovative Management (vice
Oh Young-kyo)
- Maritime & Fisheries: Kim Sung-jin, Director of the Small
and Medium Business Administration (vice Oh Geo-don)
- Information & Communications: Roh Joon-hyung, Vice Minister
of MIC (vice Chin Dae-je)
- Culture & Tourism: Kim Myung-gon, former President of the
National Theater (vice Chung Dong-chae)
- Environment: no replacement named (vice Lee Jae-yong)
The National Assembly will hold non-binding hearings when it
reconvenes for its next extraordinary session in late
March/early April. Vice ministers will serve as acting
ministers until then.
EX-MINISTERS TO RUN FOR OFFICE
--------------
2. Four out of five outgoing Cabinet ministers have
indicated that they will run for key posts in the May 31
nation-wide regional elections: Oh Geo-don for mayor of
Busan; Lee Jae-yong for mayor of Daegu; Oh Young-kyo for
governor of South Chungcheong Province; and Chin Dae-je for
governor of the Gyeonggi Province.
3. A minor controversy has erupted around credible
allegations that, in violation of election law, at least a
couple of the ex-ministers appear to have engaged in campaign
activities while still members of the Cabinet. The
opposition has also accused the Blue House of seriously
undermining the government's neutrality and fairness in
running elections by enlisting incumbent officials for
elections. The Grand National Party (GNP) has demanded that
PM Lee Hae-chan and Justice Minister Chun Jung-bae, both of
whom are leading members of the Uri Party, step down so as to
ensure the impartiality of oversight of the elections.
VERSHBOW