PM-Nominee Kim Tae-ho Keeps Low Profile

“Don’t arrange a premium-size vehicle for me. A full-size (Hyundai) Grandeur Azera will be better than a premium size (Hyundai) Equus.”

“Let’s avoid ministerial briefings. Please brief me by case.”

For the first time, Prime Minister-designate Kim Tae-ho entered the Prime Minister’s Office at Room 301 in the wing of the central government complex in Seoul Monday. He indicated that rather than being bound by organizational structure and rules, he will emphasize efficiency and seek to keep a low profile.

Kim held his first meeting around 10 a.m. with senior officials at the office, including vice ministers Park Young-joon and Cho Won-dong. The 66 square-meter office had been used by outgoing Prime Minister Chung Un-chan before his inauguration.

Asked by reporters on his plan for his parliamentary confirmation hearing, Kim said, “I’ll study hard. I’ll carefully examine pending issues in state administration and let the public share a consensus on current matters through the confirmation hearing.”

When a reporter said opposition parties will stage a scathing verbal attack on the government, he said, “The administration must accept opposition parties as important partners in state administration,” adding, “I know neither side cannot afford to get extreme.”

will71@donga.com