Yoon likely to replace gender equality, defense ministers this week

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Thu, November 30, 2023 | 00:50

Politics

Yoon likely to replace gender equality, defense ministers this week

Posted : 2023-09-10 16:24

Updated : 2023-09-11 16:06

Gender Equality and Family Minister Kim Hyun-sook arrives at her office at Government Complex Seoul, Sept. 1. Newsis

By Lee Hyo-jin

President Yoon Suk Yeol is likely to replace three to four ministers, including the gender equality and defense ministers, as early as this week in an effort to keep his policy momentum going in preparation for general elections slated for April next year, according to several ruling party sources and media reports, Sunday.

Both the gender equality and defense ministers have been facing mounting public criticisms in recent weeks over the poor planning and unpleasant conditions experienced at the World Scout Jamboree in August, and over the death of a young Marine during a search operation for people affected by the downpours in July, respectively.

Other ministers that may be affected by the president's envisioned Cabinet reshuffle could include both the culture and ICT ministers, according to sources.

Speculation is high that Gender Equality and Family Minister Kim Hyun-sook, who is under scrutiny over her ministry's mishandling of the quadrennial Jamboree event, will be included in the upcoming reshuffle.

The international youth event, which kicked off on Aug. 1 in Saemangeum, a reclaimed tidal flat in North Jeolla Province, invited severe criticism internationally due to poor hygiene, pest control failures and shortages of clean facilities, as well as safety concerns amid the heat wave.

Kim issued a public apology on Aug. 30 for the "inconveniences and concerns" caused by the Jamboree event, but has been resisting pressure from opposition lawmakers to step down, saying that the responsibility for the fiasco will be determined through an investigation by the state audit agency.

But as public opinion about Kim is continuing to deteriorate, the president is apparently seeking to dismiss her. Yoon is reportedly eyeing Kim Haeng, a former presidential spokesperson for the Park Geun-hye administration, as Kim's successor.

Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup is also likely to be replaced, given that he has been mired in an array of controversies, including allegations of obstructing the military's internal investigation into the tragic death of a young marine.

The 20-year-old Marine Corporal Chae Su-geun was killed in July when he was swept away by a swift current during a search operation for missing residents in a stream near the site of a major landslide in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province.

Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup speaks during an interpellation session at the National Assembly on Yeouido, Seoul, Sept. 4. Yonhap

The defense minister is facing allegations from opposition lawmakers that he exerted influence into the Marine Corp's initial probe and attempted to put off the investigation from being transferred to the police.

In addition, the defense ministry's recent decision to relocate the bust of independence fighter Hong Beom-do from the Korean Military Academy, citing his involvement with the Soviet Communist Party, has drawn a public backlash for triggering ideological disputes.

Rep. Shin Won-sik of the ruling People Power Party, former deputy chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is rumored to be nominated as the new defense minister.

Kim Yong-hyun, head of the Presidential Security Service, and Leem Ho-young, former deputy commander of the Combined Forces Command, are also being mentioned as potential nominees.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo-gyoon may be replaced by Yoo In-chon, a special presidential adviser for culture and sports. Yoo, a well-known TV and stage actor, served as the culture minister during the former Lee Myung-bak administration.

Some say Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho could also be replaced, citing that President Yoon made comments critical of Lee's report about R&D strategies, during a meeting on national financial strategy in June.

Other than the ministers, Yoon is considering replacing two senior defense officials in his office ― Lim Jong-deuk, the deputy national security adviser, and Lim Ki-hoon, the presidential secretary for national defense.

According to local media reports, the former will be replaced by In Seong-hwan, the former president of the Joint Forces Military University, while the latter is set to be succeeded by Choi Byung-ok, head of the Defense Policy Bureau at the Ministry of National Defense.

Speculation arose that the abrupt reshuffling of Yoon's key defense officials may be connected to the controversy surrounding Chae's death and the related probe.

Nevertheless, the presidential office denied such claims, explaining that the imminent reshuffle is part of an overall personnel plan that has been prepared and planned much earlier than the recent developments surrounding the death of Chae.

lhj@koreatimes.co.kr