What reshuffle?

It is truly disappointing that only three cabinet ministers have been replaced. The scale and content of the reshuffling is way below the public’s expectations, considering that the reshuffling process went on for nearly a month after all cabinet members offered their resignations.

In a special press conference on June 19, President Lee Myung-bak promised that he would do his best in employing new people to meet the people’s standards. He is mistaken if he believes this reshuffling is good enough to meet the people’s standards.

The entire cabinet offered its resignation 107 days after the administration took office. This unusual incident took place because the government made grave, unprecedented mistakes, disappointing the people deeply. It should have shown determination and resolve for a new start.

Given the seriousness of the situation, we have demanded an entire cabinet reshuffle. But the Blue House spokesman said it wouldn’t be appropriate for continuity and stability in governance of state affairs. This is the same as saying that they didn’t see the need for reshuffling at all.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets, not only because they were discontented about the beef deal, but also because they distrusted the administration’s way of handling state affairs in general.

Let’s grant that they have failed to find a new prime minister despite vigorous efforts. Then, the minister who has made mistakes should have been replaced. The minister of strategy and finance had wavered on economic policies, making the people’s livelihoods difficult. But he has been saved and his deputy minister was fired instead. This reveals that the Blue House didn’t even know the meaning of reshuffling.

If the Blue House thinks that the enthusiasm for the candlelight vigils had cooled down and thus reduced the scale of reshuffling accordingly, it is mistaken.

Candlelight vigils reveal only part of the rage that the public feels.

The people who have been disappointed with the administration but nonetheless stayed silent haven’t changed their minds to support the administration.

The president must implement reforms in his administration’s handling of state affairs if he wants to meet the people’s standards. He must allocate power and give the prime minister actual power to lead the cabinet.

Reform can begin when the president’s thinking, actions and way of handling state affairs are changed.