Amid suspicions over their speculative investment in real estate or possession of dual nationalities, the United Democratic Party decided to boycott confirmation hearings for them, and the Grand National Party advised Cheong Wa Dae to persuade them to step down voluntarily.

In a breakfast meeting with President Lee on Wednesday morning, GNP Chairman Kang Jae-sup and floor leader Ahn Sang-soo were quoted by Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Lee Dong-kwan as saying that some Cabinet nominees “had problems” and recommending their voluntary withdrawal.

"President Lee thought very hard all morning. He finally decided to accept the wishes of the two Cabinet nominees… when they said they didn't want to be a burden on the new government and the president," the presidential spokesman said, "President Lee said the two made a difficult decision to help the launch of the new government, and that it was regrettable."

Lee then nominated Byun Do-yoon (61), a former vice chairwoman of the Korea Association of Social Workers, as minister of gender equality and family. He will also nominate candidates for ministers of unification and of the environment, the National Intelligence Service director, and the Broadcast and Communication Commission chairman soon.

Lee will convene an preliminary Cabinet consisting of 12 of his own administration and three from the Roh Moo-hyun administration on March 3. The three from the Roh's Cabinet will stay in their posts as ministers without portfolios until their posts are filled by new people.

With three Cabinet nominees lost, Lee faces his first crisis since his inauguration on Monday. It remains to be seen how effective his efforts to solve the problem will turn out ahead of the general election in April, when wrangling is expected to intensify between ruling and opposition parties.

(englishnews@chosun.com )