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Justice Minister Candidates Down to 2

Posted August. 08, 2006 03:35,   

한국어

It was reported on Monday that the controversial appointment of a successor to former Justice Minister Cheon Jeong-bae has been narrowed down to the final two: Moon Jae-in, a former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, and Kim Sung-ho, secretary general of the Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Cheong Wa Dae, which is planning on holding a meeting for candidate recommendation to discuss the justice minister replacement on Tuesday, if earlier, is expected to report the result to President Roh Moo-hyun and declare the nominee to the post.

“Currently, more than one candidate is under scrutiny including Moon,” said a key Cheong Wa Dae official on Monday. “Moon and Kim are the most promising.”

While some quarters of Cheong Wa Dae are expressing their skepticism over Moon, who has been kept in check by the ruling Uri Party, it has been reported that the president is maintaining silence on his stance.

President Roh is expected to make 13 vice minister-level appointments including the vice minister of Planning and Budget along with the justice minister position.

Meanwhile, the nomination of a successor to the former Education Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Kim Byung-joon, whose resignation letter was accepted on Monday, is expected to be further delayed.



jyw11@donga.com