5 Ministers Replaced in Seoul Shake-Up

South Korean President Kim Dae Jung named five new Cabinet ministers today in a political shake-up stemming from discontent over his North Korea policy.

Those replaced included Unification Minister Lim Dong Won, who was in charge of the so-called sunshine policy of trying to engage the Communist North.

On Thursday, North Korea agreed to Kim’s proposal to resume long-stalled talks Sept. 15-18 in Seoul. The talks had broken down in March because of tension between the North and the United States, the South’s main ally.

Many South Koreans agree that the government should pursue reconciliation with the North, but critics say the president has given aid and made other concessions while getting little in return. Kim has said he will stick to his engagement policy.

“The shake-up is to seek stability of state affairs and continue reform policies,” said Park Joon Young, chief presidential spokesman.

The 22-member Cabinet offered to quit this week after a National Assembly vote to dismiss Lim, who had been accused of being too lenient toward the North.

Lim was replaced by Hong Soon Young, a former foreign minister who became ambassador to China last year, the presidential office announced. A career diplomat, the 64-year-old Hong was also ambassador to Russia and Germany.

Kim also replaced the ministers of agriculture, labor, maritime affairs, and construction and transportation. But he kept the economic team that has been steering South Korea through a fitful reform process in the wake of the 1997-98 Asian currency crisis.

Three of the ministers who were replaced were members of United Liberal Democrats, a small party that broke up a coalition with the ruling party by siding with the opposition in the vote against Lim.