New Ministers Pledge to Continue Reform

At the first state council meeting held after President Kim's cabinet reshuffle, newly-appointed ministers expressed their commitment to continue with reforms. Prime Minister Lee Han Dong named the Ministers of Unification, Finance and Economy, Education and Government Administration as leaders of a team-based governance approach. The approach will consist of four categories: unification, foreign and security policies; economic policy; education and human resources development policies; social welfare and cultural policies.

Jin Nyum, the new minister of Finance and Economy summed up his plans, "Based on solid team-work and the proven ability to implement reform policies, I will complete financial restructuring by the end of this year. I will also come up with the vision and a detailed policy implementation plan for the second half of the Kim Dae Jung administration."

Song Ja, minister of Education: "I will provide an educational environment in which students enjoy learning, teachers feel rewarded, and parents feel satisfied."

Shin Kook-hwan, minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy: "I will cooperate with the business community in devising a long-term plan and a new paradigm for the Korean economy."

Choi Sun-jung, minister of Health and Welfare:"I will focus on resolving the medical crisis and completing health care reforms, especially the comprehensive medical insurance plan."

Kim Ho-jin, minister of Labor: "I will transform confrontational labor relations in Korea into productive ones."

Lee Nam-kee, chairman of the Fair Trade Commission: "I will consolidate the market mechanism. I will focus on chaebol reform."

by Kim Sherk-hyun