President taps embattled finance chief to head committee

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak has tapped his former finance
minister, Kang Man-soo, to head a presidential committee, an official said
Thursday, three days after the embattled minister was asked to step down over his
mishandling of the nation's economic crisis.

An official at the presidential office Thursday said the 63-year-old Kang has
been tapped to lead the Presidential Council on National Competitiveness, which
will keep him on the government payroll and also close to the president.
"Kang will continue to offer advice to President Lee after he steps down as
finance minister," the official said, asking not to be identified.
Kang is to be replaced by Yoon Jeung-hyun, a former head of the Financial
Supervisory Committee.
The shakeup, which also saw the replacement of the unification minister, came
after months of public criticism against Kang, who was labeled incompetent for
failing to predict and prepare the country for the unfolding global financial
crisis.
Opposition parties immediately denounced the proposed appointment, saying the
president has turned away from the populace.
"How can the very person who razed the nation's economy be expected to bolster
the nation's competitiveness," the main opposition Democratic Party said. "We
feel the despair."
Many believe Kang enjoys the president's steady confidence despite his failures
only because of their long, personal relationship forged at a local church to
which both men belong.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)