Leadership Shakeup In Ruling Party Is Probable

The ruling Millennium Democratic Party said Tuesday that it will submit a plan to reshuffle the party leadership, presidential aides and some cabinet ministers to President Kim Dae-jung when he returns from Indonesia on Wednesday.

"I will report to the president that there is rising public concern with the party leadership's ability to handle state affairs," said Suh Young-hoon, the party's chairman. Mr. Suh held a news conference after a meeting of the ruling party's Supreme Council.

"We've decided that drastic measures are needed, including an overhaul of party leadership, to regain the public's trust," he said.

The ruling party said that it will hold a workshop early next month to discuss several policy measures it plans to take in the near future.

But the reshuffle of party leadership, cabinet members and presidential aides is taking center stage at this point, a ruling party insider said.

The ruling party was criticized by both the press and the public after its members physically barred the National Assembly speaker from introducing a bill to impeach the nation's top prosecutors.

Mr. Suh said that he will resign if the president decides that his role is no longer helping the party.

In addition to announcing the plan to revamp the party leadership, Mr. Suh said that the Millennium Democratic Party will strive to cooperate with the opposition party to ensure parliament continues its work.

by Lee Jung-min