Ruling Side Will Reorganize Party and Government in September

President Kim Dae-Jung is considering an early reorganization of the party and the government right after the completion of the press tax investigation by the Public Prosecution in September. A high official of the ruling side said, ``[the President] planned to reorganize the party and the government after the re-election and by-election on October 25. However, accepting the opinions that the re-election and by-election will influence significantly on the post national administration and the local election next year, the ruling side started positively reconsidering the early reformation of the party and the government.``

He added that ``Chairperson Kim Joong-Kwon positively considers running at the re-and by-election on October 25. When Chairperson Kim runs for the election to the National Assembly, whether he resigns from his office will be a major factor for the reformation of the party and the government.``

The high official also said, ``[the President] is reviewing the two plans; firstly, to change the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister of Finance and Economy, and some other Ministers at first and the chairperson of the Party and the Chief of the Secretary to the President later step by step, secondly, to change the `big 3` all at once.``

He said that ``the United Liberal Democrats also is not negative to the early reorganization. When the Prime Minister is changed, one of the candidates for the next presidential election, whom Kim Jong-Pil, the honorary president of ULD, does not dislike, will be recommended. The chances to choose a person from outside are still open.``

President Kim Dae-Jung is also considering that one or two runners for the next president would enter the Cabinet and run for the governors of the Seoul or Kyonggi local government next year. In addition, when the Economic Deputy Prime Minister is changed, a representative economic reformer will be picked up.

Yoon Young-Chan yyc11@donga.com