SEOUL (AP) — South Korean President Lee Myung-bak named a former provincial governor as his new prime minister on Sunday as part of an extensive Cabinet reshuffle aimed at restoring public support following his party’s surprise defeat in local elections.
Hong Sang-pyo, the presidential secretary for public relations, announced that the shake-up also included the ministers of education, knowledge economy and five other departments. It did not affect the key ministries of foreign affairs, defense or unification.
Kim Tae-ho, a former governor of South Gyeongsang province, was nominated to replace Chung Un-chan as prime minister, Mr. Hong said. The appointment is subject to parliamentary approval.
The prime minister is the nation’s second-highest official but is largely a ceremonial position with little decision-making power.
The shake-up came in response to public demands for reform, the presidential office said in a statement.
Mr. Lee’s ruling party suffered a surprise defeat in mayoral and gubernatorial elections in June, though it won parliamentary by-elections in July. The elections were considered a gauge of public support for Mr. Lee’s conservative government.
South Korean presidents often use personnel appointments to regain public confidence.
Mr. Kim, 47, said he would seek national reconciliation and enhance communication with the people.
South Korea has been divided over a plan to move more than half of the 15 government ministries out of the capital to a nearby city.
Mr. Chung, the outgoing prime minister, led the charge to abandon the project. Mr. Lee has said the plan would waste taxpayer money and create inefficiencies.
The National Assembly rejected Mr. Lee’s push in June, forcing him to start work on implementing the original plan, which proponents say would foster regional development and help solve Seoul’s worsening traffic and housing problems.
Mr. Lee also replaced the ministers of culture, agriculture, health and welfare, employment and labor, and a special minister handling political affairs.
The reshuffle came amid tension with North Korea over large South Korean naval drills off the west coast, including areas near the two countries’ disputed sea border.
The exercises, which end Monday, were aimed at strengthening South Korea’s ability to counter any North Korean provocations following the March sinking of a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors.
North Korea, which has denied involvement in the sinking, warned last week it would “counter the reckless naval firing projected by the group of traitors with strong physical retaliation” and advised civilian ships to stay away from the maritime border.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said no unusual military activity has been detected in the North.
Seoul has said it will launch more military exercises with the United States on Aug. 16 following joint naval drills last month off South Korea’s east coast.
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