Pres. Roh: “Improper to Discuss Restructuring Now,” Rep. Choi: “Full Cooperation if Comprehensive Restructuring”

President, Roh Moo-hyun, about the request for restructuring the Blue House and the administration on October 18, said, “I have already promised to restructure the administration and the Blue House after the assessment election.” It is not proper to discuss about the restructuring of the administration at this point as some have insisted.”

President Roh spoke at a luncheon with Prime Minister Goh Kun and Moon Hee-sang, chief secretary to the president, before his departure for the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit Meeting. Roh said, “Now is the time for all the public service personnel under the ministers to muster up all our energy to work at the regular sessions of the National Assembly. The administration and the secretary office to the president should work for the perfection of the livelihood of the people, economy, and progressive legislation according to Lee Byung-wan, chief publicity officer to the president.“

However, Representative Choi Byung-ryul of the Grand National Party requested a comprehensive restructuring of the administration at a press conference the same day afternoon. It is expected that the administration restructuring issue will emerge as a hot potato in the political arena.

Representative Choi said, “We are separating the issues of the assessment and the economy-revitalizing works including the draft budget under the principle of separation of the politics from economy. We will fully cooperate if the government takes on the restructuring of the administration comprehensively.”

Preceding this, Lee Kwang-je, chief officer of current state affairs, handed in his letter of resignation on October 18, after being requested to step down by the New Party 21. Chief Officer Lee expressed his opinion in a booklet distributed at the press room right after handing in the resignation saying, “For me, the position as a chief officer of current state affairs was my responsibility and my duty, not a place of influence. I do not want my presence to bring trouble to the president, so I chose to withdraw completely.” Also, he added, “We have to cheer up the president. I sincerely hope that an atmosphere that treasures the president and the country would be formed.”

Young-Hae Choi Min-Hyuk Park yhchoi65@donga.com mhpark@donga.com