`Pres. Lee to Delegate More Power to PM`

A presidential office source said Tuesday that President Lee Myung-bak will share power with the prime minister in the latter part of his term.

The source spoke of the possibility of implementing the “responsible prime minister” system to reporters, saying, “President Lee can share power with the Cabinet in the latter half of his term.”

“President Lee’s grip on power was loosened in the first half of his term amid candlelight protests (against the resumption of U.S. beef imports), but I understand that the situation will change.”

The source said, “(With the finalization of the Sejong City plan), big clashes between the ruling and opposition parties are unlikely,” adding, “President Lee will take a step back and manage existing policies instead of pursuing new ones.”

“If Prime Minister Chung Un-chan is replaced, the naming of his successor should hold meaning. An unprecedented step should be taken in choosing a new prime minister to give the public a sense of change. A successor who can conduct state affairs at the same time is desirable.”

The responsible prime minster system was adopted by the previous Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2004, in which a significant part of the president’s power in administering day-to-day state affairs was delegated to then Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan.

Another presidential office source said, “President Lee has until now managed even the most trivial state affairs. Many have urged a change in his administrative style,” adding, “But the president will not leave all day-to-day administrative work in the hands of the prime minister.”

yongari@donga.com