Internal affairs minister named new intelligence chief

SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak replaced his intelligence and police chiefs on Sunday, aides said, as part of what is expected to be a wide-reaching government shakeup ahead of Lee's second year in office.

In a related development, informed sources said that Han Duck-soo, who has served
as finance and prime minister under previous liberal administrations, has been
tapped to become South Korea's ambassador to the United States.
In Sunday's reshuffle, Won Sei-hoon, minister of public administration and
security, was appointed to head the National Intelligence Service, presidential
officials said.
Kim Seok-ki, chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, was promoted to
replace Eo Cheong-soo as national police commissioner, they said.
Both Won and Kim must appear for National Assembly confirmation hearings. The
Assembly may give its opinion on the president's choice, but cannot veto.
The president accepted the resignation of Han Sang-ryule, the head of the
National Tax Service, and plans to pick his successor in the near future,
according to officials.
President Lee has been under pressure from all sides to reorganize his
government, which has seen its popularity plummet to around 20 percent.
Presidential aides indicated that the reshuffle may also affect the presidential
office and the Cabinet.
Many expect Lee to replace his economy-related ministers -- Finance Minister Kang
Man-soo, Knowledge Economy Minister Lee Youn-ho and Jun Kwang-woo, chairman of
the Financial Services Commission -- along with a few others.
Those changes will likely be announced toward the end of the month, officials said.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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