Cabinet reshuffle signals hardline N.Korea policy will continue > korea

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Cabinet reshuffle signals hardline N.Korea policy will continue

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작성자 Kwon Hyeok-cheo… 작성일10-08-09 06:36 조회1,350회 댓글0건

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Analysts say the June 2 local elections were a rejection of policies escalating tension with N.Korea

Prior to the Cabinet reshuffle Aug. 8, it was widely expected that one or two ministers from departments related to foreign relations and national security would be replaced. Bipartisan calls for reform were issued amid issues such as the failure of “Cheonan diplomacy,” the recent weakening of North Korea-South Korea and South Korea-China relations, and the diplomatic chaos with Arab and Middle Eastern nations over sanctions on Iran and conflict with Libya. On the morning of the day of the announcement, relevant departments had prepared profiles of the rumored possible replacements for the ministers they expected to go.


During his staff reorganization last month, President Lee Myung-bak left Senior Secretary to the President for Foreign Affairs and National Security Kim Sung-hwan and all other foreign affairs and national security-related staff in place. Now, the president has gone on to leave all three ministers at the head of the government departments concerned with these issues in office.


During a press conference following the announcement, Senior Secretary to the President for Public Relations Hong Sang-pyo said, “As far as I know, the three ministers were excluded from the reshuffle because they have long been preparing for the G20 summit to be held in a few months, and it had been determined that it would be good to maintain continuity and consistency.”



Last month, North Korea published a “list of criminal acts” by Minister of Unification Hyun In-taek, asserting that he was a “traitor opposed to unification who cannot be left in place.”


It has become known that the decision not to replace him was due to the concern that doing so could have sent a signal to North Korea that South Korea was admitting to mistakes in its North Korea policy.


It appears that the decision to leave Minister of Defense Kim Tae-young in office was made in consideration of the rock-bottom morale of the military following the Cheonan incident, and based on the judgment that he was well qualified to handle issues such as postponing the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington to Seoul in 2015.


Leaving foreign relations and national security personnel untouched, however, has solidified the Lee administration’s current policies in those areas. It is clear both to those in South Korea and to those overseas that the Lee administration will continue to place importance upon its alliance with the United States and continue pressure tactics against North Korea.


It therefore appears that existing hardline policies toward North Korea such as economic sanctions and military provocations are set to continue for the time being. Specifically, the Lee administration is expected to press North Korea for an apology over the Cheonan incident and to continue with the Cheonan follow-up measures, such as the suspension of inter-Korean trade and conducting marine military training exercises, as announced on May 24.


“Retaining foreign relations and national security personnel confirmed the administration’s will to sustain economic sanctions and pressure on North Korea and to return to a Cold War structure in Northeast Asia, whereby South Korea and the United States stand in conflict with North Korea and China,” said Yang Moo-jin, professor of the University of North Korean Studies. “Although the Cheong Wa Dae had emphasized communication when announcing the results of the Cabinet reshuffle,” Yang said, “it covered its ears when it came to public opinion as expressed in the local elections on June 2, which demanded an improvement in inter-Korean relations and a decrease in tension on the Korean peninsula.”


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