Outgoing chief of staff asks for support for Roh

Explaining the background of his resignation to the press yesterday, Blue House chief of staff Kim Woo-sik said that achieving internal unity in South Korean society had to come before reunification of the two Koreas, despite recent growing enthusiasm for the latter.

Mr. Kim tendered his resignation recently and it was accepted by President Roh Moo-hyun on Wednesday. Mr. Kim yesterday called his resignation a “symbolic act to help the president to map out new plans for state affairs,” at the turning point of entering the second half of his tenure, which starts on Thursday. Mr. Kim also asked for press cooperation, saying, “Regardless of whether you like him or not, a president is the supreme leader of the country and encouraging a president is what’s necessary for the national interest.” He was apparently touching on the longstanding rough relationship between the president and the press.

A former president of Yonsei University, Mr. Kim was an unexpected appointment to the post 18 months ago for he does not share the same beliefs as the president on reformist agendas. Mr. Kim said yesterday he was bewildered when he was appointed. However, he soon learned the president’s strengths, he said, rejecting criticism of the Roh government as being “pro-North, anti-American and leftist.”

Mr. Kim officially resigns Thursday and the Blue House said yesterday that Lee Byung-wan, special assistant to the president for public relations and culture, is a strong candidate to replace him. Kim Byong-joon, chief secretary to the president for national policy, is reportedly another candidate being discussed, although Mr. Kim has denied that.

Presidential spokesman Kim Man-soo said yesterday that the replacement will be officially announced early next week.

by Chun Su-jin