Pressure Mounting for Cabinet, Pres. Office Reshuffles

With the ruling Grand National Party’s crushing defeat in Wednesday`s by-elections, a growing chorus of voices is demanding sweeping reshuffles of the Cabinet and the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae.

The Lee administration’s ability to run state affairs is under heavy criticism in the wake of scandals over ministerial candidates suspected of illegal real estate transactions, the ruling party’s internal struggle over candidates for the April general elections, resumption of U.S. beef imports, the spread of candlelight vigils and the plunge in President Lee Myung-bak’s approval rating.

○ Pressure growing for reshuffle

As party members are urging a drastic and prompt reshuffle of the Cabinet and presidential secretariat, Cheong Wa Dae is now a target for a sweeping reshuffle. Many say a reshuffle of the presidential office is more feasible given the lower risk of an administrative vacuum. Appointing new Cabinet members will require more time since the National Assembly must hold confirmation hearings for them.

A high-ranking official of the ruling party said, “If a major reshuffle is carried out in Cabinet, it will be difficult to open the regular session of the National Assembly. This will eventually delay the appointment of new ministers and create a vacuum in state affairs, especially since the new parliament has yet to convene since beginning its four-year term on May 30.”

“The nation could get embroiled in turmoil if the appointments of new ministers take more time and controversy worsens in the verification process.”

A reshuffle of the presidential office, however, requires no parliamentary confirmation hearings given the president’s power to appoint and dismiss his staff.

○ Pres. office blamed for mismanagement

The presidential office is also under criticism for failure to properly manage state affairs on behalf of President Lee. Presidential advisers such as chief of staff Yu Woo-ik have been criticized as incompetent.

The ruling party is said to have urged a reshuffle of the presidential office. Pro-Lee forces were divided after the launch of the administration into Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling party. The pro-Lee contingent in the party is strongly demanding a sweeping change of the presidential office’s personnel.

First and second-term party lawmakers gathered in downtown Seoul to discuss the poor results of the by-elections, allegedly blaming mismanagement by Cheong Wa Dae.

○ Cheong Wa Dae ignores growing pressure

Presidential officials have tuned out the demand for a reshuffle. One senior official said, “I have never heard about a reshuffle. Judging by President Lee’s appointment style, a reshuffle is unlikely to happen soon.”

Certain leading advisers to the president, however, are reportedly paying keen attention to the growing calls for a reshuffle.

Presidential officials said no discussion has been held on replacing presidential advisers, including chief of staff Yu. A slew of rumors are running rampant, however, over the imminent replacement of certain officials, including the senior presidential secretaries for political, economic and foreign affairs.

If the senior presidential secretary for social policy is included, five out of the president’s seven secretaries will be replaced.

The ruling party believes lawmakers Jeong Du-eon, Maeng Hyung-gyu and Park Hyung-joon as the most likely to enter Cheong Wa Dae because of their close ties with President Lee and their abilities to handle difficult political situations.

Kwak Seung-jun, senior presidential secretary for state planning, could be moved to secretary for economic affairs and Park Jae-wan, secretary for political affairs, could take over social policy in the presidential office.

mhpark@donga.com ddr@donga.com