Prime Minister Lee Will Stay but 7-8 Ministers Will Leave

President Kim Dae-Jung will reshuffle the Cabinet by changing 7 to 8 Ministers on the 29th, but Prime Minister Lee Han-Dong will remain in office.

President Kim is reportedly considering replacing Education Minister Han Wan-Sang with Chief Secretary to the President Lee Sang-Joo after the end of Mr. Han`s term, and appointing Minister of Planning and Budget Chun Yoon-Chul as the Chief Secretary.

Economic Deputy Prime Minister Jin Nyum and Director General of the National Intelligence Service Shin Ghun are likely to remain in their offices.

The Ministers from the Congress including Rep. Kim Young-Hwan, Minister of Science and Technology, Rep. Kim Won-Gil, Minister of Public Health and Welfare Minister, Rep. Yoo Yong-Tae, Minister of Labor, and Rep. Kim Deok-Bae, Commissioner of Presidential Commission on Small and Medium Enterprises, are likely to be replaced.

However, Rep. Han Seung-Soo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and trade, and Rep. Chang Jae-Shik, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy, will remain in their current positions.

The fate of Unification Minister Hong Soon-Young, who was expected to be dismissed, and Minister of Information and Communication Yang Seung-Taek are not decided yet.

President Kim will replace the senior secretary of Cheong Wa Dae at the end of this week after the Cabinet reshuffling is completed.

Out of 9 senior secretaries including the Chief Secretary to the President, 4 to 5 senior secretaries such as the Chief Secretary to the President Lee Sang-Joo, economic senior secretary Lee Ki-Ho, and diplomatic and security senior secretary Chung Tae-Ik are likely to be dismissed.

A high-ranking official of the Cheong Wa Dae hinted at a small Cabinet reshuffling saying "The Cabinet reshuffling will be completed before the DJP meeting on the 29th. The Ministers who have no special problems will remain in their positions."

The official also added, "The economic team may not change. The President will change the Ministers whenever it is necessary."

ysmo@donga.com