Hawkish S. Korean Defense Chief Fired
President Roh Tae Woo fired his hawkish defense minister and changed six other Cabinet members Thursday but stood by the men steering South Korea’s troubled economy.
Roh named Choi Sae Chang, former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, as defense minister. He replaces Lee Jong Koo, regarded as a leading Cabinet hard-liner.
Lee caused a political furor this year over his reported remarks that South Korea was considering a raid on North Korean nuclear facilities unless Pyongyang allowed international inspection.
Roh retained two key economic ministers--Deputy Prime Minister Choi Kak Kyu and Finance Minister Rhee Yong Man. South Korean media had speculated that they would be fired because of high inflation, a worsening trade deficit and other economic troubles.
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