Confusion reigns over whether Kim Doo-gwan will retain post

Confusion prevails over the fate of Kim Doo-gwan, minister of government administration and home affairs. The National Assembly recommended Mr. Kim be ousted for failing to prevent radical demonstrations at a U.S. military firing range and at the Grand National Party’s headquarters last month.
President Roh Moo-hyun has told his chief of staff, Moon Hee-sang, to tell the embattled minister to focus on repairing the damage left by Typhoon Maemi last week.
But Mr. Kim himself is adamant that he will resign. Meeting with reporters before a cabinet meeting, he said, “I have not changed my mind on the issue that I will resign before the week is over.”
“The president has said that I should focus on relief work in the aftermath of Maemi, but I think it is best that I resign for the sake of the ministry, especially since successor candidates are being named,” he said.
Political analysts speculated that Mr. Kim’s recent soaring popularity in his hometown of Namhae, North Jeolla province, is fueling his steps, and that he has an eye on a National Assembly seat.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and Blue House officials leaked to the press Sunday that Huh Sung-kwan, the maritime affairs minister, was designated by Mr. Roh as a possible replacement for Minister Kim. Prime Minister Goh Kun and Blue House officials were reportedly scouting for a new maritime affairs minister.
“The Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs is well-known for being difficult to lead because of its entrenched, vested interests, so we have to appoint someone whose abilities to lead an organization have been verified,” said a senior Blue House official, who said Mr. Huh placed first in an internal assessment of cabinet members’ abilities. But Mr. Huh strongly denied yesterday the rumors that he was replacing Mr. Kim.

by Kang Min-seok