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President Lee Myung-bak on Monday said he is paying close attention to public sentiment and considering ways to defuse the political crisis caused by the anti-U.S. beef protests, and promised to listen to the ruling party, society leaders and public opinion before working out steps to resolve the situation. Lee made the remarks after talking over suggestions, including a possible Cabinet reshuffle, from Grand National Party Chairman Kang Jae-sup at Cheong Wa Dae Monday morning.
According to presidential spokesperson Lee Dong-kwan, Kang counseled the president to open his ears to the views of senior leaders of society. Kang said the ruling party sees some political miscalculations behind the crisis, which may require a Cabinet reshuffle to resolve. Kang also reportedly suggested that an office be set up inside Cheong Wa Dae to analyze and predict the political situation and maintain smooth and open communication between ruling and opposition parties and the government.
President Lee is expected to announce a reshuffle of the Cabinet and Cheong Wa Dae in his efforts to ease the crisis and stabilize the public livelihood around Thursday. Cheong Wa Dae is also said to be considering ways to suspend a government discussion on the construction of the proposed cross-country canal in an effort to cope with the situation.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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