World IN BRIEF : SOUTH KOREA : Roh Tae Woo Fires Defense Minister

President Roh Tae Woo fired his defense minister and the powerful chief of military intelligence following allegations that the government spied on more than 1,300 civilians. Roh’s office said that Defense Minister Lee Sang Hoon was replaced by Lee Jong Koo, former army chief of staff. Lt. Gen. Cho Nam Pung gave way as commander of the Defense Security Command in favor of Lt. Gen. Koo Chang Hoe. Charges in the past week of military surveillance, including spying on leading government and opposition politicians, have eroded government claims that the armed forces are politically neutral.