Maritime Minister Hu Considered As Strong Candidate For New Home Affairs Minister

President is expected to name Hu Sung-kwan, sitting maritime affairs and fisheries minister, as a successor to outgoing home affairs minister Kim Doo-kwan who has expressed his intention to step down.

“President Roh is now considering replacing home affairs minister Kim with Mr. Hu who the president thinks is a reform-minded person and therefore will carry out the president`s reform agenda without fail,” an senior Cheong Wa Dae official said.

Reportedly, Cheong Wa Dae has informed minister Hu of his possible appointment to the position over the last weekends. Minister Hu, former professor at Donga University in Busan, Gyeongsang Province, served as a member of the president`s advisor team during last presidential election and a member of the current government`s transition committee.

It has been known that the president previously considered appointing chairman of the government reform and decentralization committee Kim Byung-joon to the post. However, the president has concluded that it might be inappropriate for the president to move chairman Kim`s position to the home affairs minister post at a time when the government has yet to work on a blue print for government reform and decentralization. Furthermore, it has been reported that Mr. Kim declined Cheong Wa Dae`s offer.

Maritime minister Hu told reporters Monday, “I have never heard of that information. If I am offered the position, I will not accept it. However, it might be difficult for me to go against the president`s wishes.”

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Cheong Wa Dae is considering naming current vice maritime minister Choe Nack-jeong to replace current minister Hu.

Young-Hae Choi Ji-Wan Cha yhchoi65@donga.com cha@donga.com