Construction Minister Kang`s Resignation Accepted

On March 28, President Roh Moo-hyun accepted Construction Minister Kang Dong-suk`s resignation and ordered the presidential staff to select a successor.

Candidates for the ministerial post include Korea Rail Network Authority (KRNA) CEO Chung Jong-hwan, Foreign Ministry minister for Trade Park Sang-eun, former National Tax Service Commissioner Lee Yong-seop, Uri Party lawmaker Kim Han-gil, and others.

An official at Cheong Wa Dae said, "We have not decided whether to choose someone with a bureaucratic background and expertise in construction and transportation, or someone with political clout so that the successor can help handle relocation of some government departments smoothly, which is a point of contention for now."

Jung-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com