Kim Cabinet Is Said Due For Shuffle

Speculation of another cabinet reshuffle is rife in the political community.

Ruling party insiders said Sunday that President Kim Dae-jung, who just returned from a summit with U.S. President George W. Bush, will replace five or six ministers in his cabinet.

"The planned changes will focus largely on consolidating the loose coalition between the ruling Millennium Democratic Party, the United Liberal Democrats and the Democratic People's Party," said a key ruling camp player, who requested anonymity.

Presidential spokesman Park Joon-young said the speculation was unsubstantiated rumor, saying that "nothing has been decided yet."

But the ruling party source said the president will appoint five or six members of the United Liberal Democrats to cabinet posts in to solidify the coalition. He added that a strong candidate for a cabinet position is Rep. Han Sung-soo of the Democratic People's Party.

The ruling party and the United Liberal Democrats are courting the Democratic People's Party, which holds two seats in the 273-seat National Assembly. If the minor party agrees to the partnership, the ruling coalition would hold a majority in the assembly.

Sources said the foreign affairs team is likely to be refashioned.

by Lee Jung-min