Lee nominates new PM, six Cabinet members in reshuffle

SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak carried out a major Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, nominating a new prime minister and five other ministers, and also naming a nominee to a newly created post.

Chung Un-chan, a former head of Seoul National University, was nominated for
prime minister, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Kim
Tae-young, was tapped for defense minister.
"Prime Minister-designate Chung is expected to be able to assist the president in
his pursuit of people-friendly policies as he is one of our country's most
well-known economic experts and has the leadership and global network to help
integrate our society," Kim Eun-hye, a spokeswoman for the presidential office
Cheong Wa Dae, told a press briefing.
Rep. Choi Kyoung-hwan of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) was picked for
minister of knowledge and economy and Vice Justice Minister Lee Kwi-nam was
tapped to be promoted to minister.
Two other GNP lawmakers were also nominated. Yim Tae-hee, former head of the
ruling party's policy committee, was nominated to become the new labor minister,
and First Vice Floor Leader Joo Ho-young was picked for minister without
portfolio, a new post that does not head a particular ministry but has a vote in
Cabinet decisions.
Paik Hee-young, a professor at Seoul National University, was nominated for
minister of gender equality, becoming the only female candidate in the largest
Cabinet reshuffle by President Lee since he came into office in February last
year.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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