Goh Kun named head of social unity council

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Yonhap) -- Goh Kun, former Seoul mayor and South Korean prime
minister, was appointed Monday to lead a new presidential body tasked with
promoting social unity and healing political divides, the president's office
said.
The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Goh is the most suitable figure to
lead the 48-member council, which will formally launch on Wednesday, as he is
known for his long experience in government, pragmatism, morality and
anti-corruption efforts.
One of Goh's nicknames is "Mr. Stability," reflecting his ability to manage
changes of government and other political situations, Cheong Wa Dae said.
Goh assumed the role of interim head of state for two months in 2004, when then
President Roh Moo-Hyun was impeached by the National Assembly. Roh was later
reinstated when the Constitutional Court overturned the impeachment.
"I have focused on charity and other civilian activity, but at the repeated
request of Cheong Wa Dae, I have decided to assume the job on the condition of
political neutrality," Goh said in a press release.
"I will make efforts to formulate policy suggestions to prevent the forming of a
social rift ... while strictly maintaining political neutrality."
Goh was once cited as a potential presidential candidate to head up against Lee
Myung-bak, the current president, but he dropped out of the 2007 race and retired
from political life.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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