SEWOL.- Maritime Minister Lee resigns
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- Category: Accidentes
- Published on Tuesday, 23 December 2014 21:42
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Korea Hwerald
Published : 2014-12-23 21:44
Updated : 2014-12-23 22:08
President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday officially announced the resignation of Maritime Minister Lee Ju-young, raising the possibility that she would carry out a major reshuffle soon to put state agendas back on track following recent scandals involving her ex-aide.
During a Cabinet meeting held at the government complex in Sejong, Park said the meeting was the last that Minister Lee would attend as he would be stepping down. Lee had offered to quit several times after the search for missing bodies from the sunken ferry Sewol was completed.
In a rare remark, Park thanked Lee for his dedication to the recovery efforts at the accident site, stressing that his service deeply moved not only the victims’ families but also the general public.
“When the Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries was going through the most difficult time with the Sewol accident, the victims’ families and the people were deeply moved by Lee, who devoted himself to the recovery work by remaining at the site on Jindo (Island) for 136 days,” Park said. “I think that he showed a true image of a public servant.”
The president also urged the Cabinet to put more effort into their work, quoting the Chinese proverb “Man proposes, God disposes.”
Park’s acceptance of Lee’s resignation, however, raised the possibility that she has made up her mind to conduct a major shake-up soon to start the New Year with a new lineup.
Park has been under pressure to replace her key staff in the wake of a power struggle scandal between her chief of staff Chung Yoon-hoi and her own brother Park Ji-man.
Cabinet reshuffles or other personnel shake-ups were conducted by past presidents when they were facing a political crisis and attempting to regain public confidence.
Last week, presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook said that Cheong Wa Dae was “listening carefully” to public opinion and reform measures demanded by the press. His remarks were in contrast the previous day’s statement to reporters that he was not aware of the president’s intention of a reshuffle.
Some suggested that the president is considering replacing Prime Minister Chung Hong-won, Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon and other Cabinet members before she holds a press conference in January, where she will be presenting her vision for state management in her third year in office.
By Cho Chung-un ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
During a Cabinet meeting held at the government complex in Sejong, Park said the meeting was the last that Minister Lee would attend as he would be stepping down. Lee had offered to quit several times after the search for missing bodies from the sunken ferry Sewol was completed.
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| Maritime Minister Lee Ju-young (Yonhap) |
In a rare remark, Park thanked Lee for his dedication to the recovery efforts at the accident site, stressing that his service deeply moved not only the victims’ families but also the general public.
“When the Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries was going through the most difficult time with the Sewol accident, the victims’ families and the people were deeply moved by Lee, who devoted himself to the recovery work by remaining at the site on Jindo (Island) for 136 days,” Park said. “I think that he showed a true image of a public servant.”
The president also urged the Cabinet to put more effort into their work, quoting the Chinese proverb “Man proposes, God disposes.”
Park’s acceptance of Lee’s resignation, however, raised the possibility that she has made up her mind to conduct a major shake-up soon to start the New Year with a new lineup.
Park has been under pressure to replace her key staff in the wake of a power struggle scandal between her chief of staff Chung Yoon-hoi and her own brother Park Ji-man.
Cabinet reshuffles or other personnel shake-ups were conducted by past presidents when they were facing a political crisis and attempting to regain public confidence.
Last week, presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook said that Cheong Wa Dae was “listening carefully” to public opinion and reform measures demanded by the press. His remarks were in contrast the previous day’s statement to reporters that he was not aware of the president’s intention of a reshuffle.
Some suggested that the president is considering replacing Prime Minister Chung Hong-won, Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon and other Cabinet members before she holds a press conference in January, where she will be presenting her vision for state management in her third year in office.
By Cho Chung-un ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )