Candidates for New Prime Minister Down to Three

It was reported on June 8 that candidates for the position of the new prime minister responsible for leading the second administration of the Roh Moo-hyun government were whittled down to three, including Assemblymen Han Myung-sook and Moon Hee-sang of the Uri Party.

A core official of the ruling party on this day stated, “I am aware that three people, including Assemblymen Han and Moon and an outside person, have ascended to be the final candidates.” He reported, “This outside person mentioned in the final candidacy has a CEO background with a strong breakthrough performance and driving force, and has not been mentioned until now,” and added, “There is a strong possibility that this person will be nominated as the candidate for prime minister over Assemblymen Han and Moon.”

On this day, President Roh had dinner with the guidance division, including Chairman of the Uri Party Shin Ki-nam, Uri Party Floor Leader Chun Jung-bae, and Hong Jae-hyung, Uri Party’s chief policy-maker at the Cheong Wa Dae, and discussed the issue of nominating the prime minister candidates. President Roh is planning to officially nominate the new prime minister candidate on the morning of June 9.

Jung-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com