Updated Jun.2,2008 09:58 KST

Lee to Announce Gov¡¯t Reshuffle
President Lee Myung-bak is to announce a Cabinet reshuffle and other measures to overhaul his stumbling government this week. Prime Minister Han Seung-soo met with the president for three days in a row since Lee returned from his state visit to China on Friday, and urged the personnel reshuffle.

A key Cheong Wa Dae official said the reshuffle will probably sweep away figures who ¡°proved politically inept¡± over the U.S. beef controversy like Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Chung Woon-chun and Minister for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs Kim Soung-yee.

The announcement will also include various measures to stabilize living conditions for ordinary people hard hit by high oil prices, and follow-up measures to the import of the U.S. beef. The ruling GNP plans to finalize the details of the announcement after a meeting with President Lee and party Chairman Kang Jae-sup on Monday morning, and a government-ruling party consultative meeting with Han on Tuesday.

(englishnews@chosun.com )