Han Duk-soo Likely to Be Named New Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister

It was reported yesterday that Han Duk-soo, 56, minister of Office for Government Policy Coordination, is likely to succeed Lee Hun-jai as deputy prime minister and finance minister.

After screening candidates at a committee of recommendation for appointment today, Cheong Wa Dae plans to announce the final decision with the approval of President Roh Moo-hyun.

“Han has been in charge of coordination among ministries since February 2004 when he was appointed chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination. This helps him be well aware of the basic mechanisms of current government affairs that make him a strong candidate,” said sources from the government.

Han, who passed the eighth examination for selecting administrative civil servants, has been involved in tasks related to commerce and industry for about 20 years starting from 1982 when he firstly served as the director of the commerce and industry department for the American continent. Given his past positions as vice-minister of Trade and Industry and minister for Trade of the Foreign Ministry, he can be regarded as one of the major figures in the commerce field

Four candidates have been mentioned in Cheong Wa Dae so far: Kang Bong-kyun, 62, a ruling Uri Party lawmaker, Shin Myoung-ho, 61, an advisor at the law firm Bae, Kim and Lee, Yoon Jeung-hyun, 59, the Financial Supervisory Commission chairman, and minister Han.

Jung-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com