Cabinet chosen, but doubts linger

President Roh Moo-hyun made his final choices for his cabinet yesterday, the day of his inauguration as South Korea’s 16th president. The list was not announced yesterday, however, because the National Assembly called off a vote on confirming the appointment of Goh Kun as prime minister. Mr. Goh’s recommendations had been considered in organizing the cabinet, sources said. If the Assembly votes against Mr. Goh’s appointment, some candidates may have to be reconsidered.
The bulk of those expected to be named to the cabinet are known as reformers. Like those chosen for the Blue House secretariat, most of the contenders for cabinet positions lack extensive government experience. Bureaucrats have strongly opposed some of Mr. Roh’s choices.
The new president would likely name Oh Myung, president of Ajou University, as deputy prime minister for education, sources close to Mr. Roh said. Kim Jin-pyo, the current minister of government policy coordination, would likely be named deputy prime minister for finance and economy, Roh associates said.
Before the inaugural ceremony yesterday Mr. Roh said he would appoint Yoon Young-kwan, professor of foreign affairs at Seoul National University and a member of Mr. Roh’s transition team, as minister of foreign affairs and trade.
Cho Yung-kil, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, would likely become minister of defense, according to Roh associates.
Jeong Se-hyun, the minister of unification, is expected to remain in office despite criticism that the ministry provided unconditional aid to the North during former President Kim Dae-jung’s term in office.
Kim Doo-gwan, a former magistrate of Namhae County in South Gyeongsang province, would become minister of government administration and home affairs, Roh aides said. Kang Kum-sil, vice president of Lawyers for a Democratic Society, would be Mr. Roh’s minister of justice and Lee Chang-dong, a film director and novelist, would likely be named minister of culture, aides said.
Several women are also expected to join the Roh cabinet. Representative Lee Mi-kyung of the Millennium Democratic Party will likely become minister of environment, sources said, and Representative Kim Hwa-joong, also a Millennium Democrat, is seen as the likely choice as minister of health and welfare. Han Myung-sook is expected to remain as minister of gender equality.

by Lee Jung-min, Kang Min-seok