South Korean president appoints woman prime minister

SOUTH KOREA'S president has overhauled his Cabinet, bringing on seven new ministers - including a female prime minister, an appointment that reflects a major departure from tradition in this male-dominated society.

The shake-up yesterday was sparked by a deadly naval clash with North

Korea. The skirmish last month dealt a serious blow to President Kim Dae-jung’s “sunshine” policy of engaging North Korea. Critics denounce it as giving away too much in return for little from an ungrateful regime.

Outgoing Defence Minister Kim Dong-shin was criticised for not taking a resolute stand in the clash along the poorly marked western sea border.

Kim brought on retired Gen Lee Jun as the new defence minister. Chang Sang, a former university president, was named prime minister, the first woman to hold the important post. Chang, who takes over from Lee Han-dong, must still gain the approval of the National Assembly. Though the prime minister post is largely ceremonial, the appointment of a woman was considered important.

“The role of women is very important in the 21st century,” presidential chief of staff Park Jie-won said of the move. The June 29 naval battle killed four South Korean sailors and wounded 19 others. One sailor also was listed as missing.

North Korea admitted that its military also suffered casualties but did not disclose details. South Korean officials believed that about 30 Northern sailors were believed to have died.

The fight broke out when two South Korean navy patrol boats tried to chase out two North Korean warships that intruded into South Korea-controlled waters in the Yellow Sea.

South Korea blamed North Korea for the “premeditated” incident, while North Korea claimed that South Korean vessels fired first.

The shake-up also affected the justice, tourism, information, health and maritime affairs ministries.

The government reorganisation comes ahead of parliamentary by-elections in August and presidential voting in December.

President Kim’s single five-year term ends in February and by the constitution, he is barred from running again.

The new prime minister said a priority of her Cabinet was to help Kim’s presidency end on a positive note.