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South Korea gets first woman PM

South Korea's new Prime Minister and former university president, Chang Sang (centre), is congratulated by students in Seoul on Thursday. — AP

SEOUL JULY 11. The South Korean President has overhauled his Cabinet, bringing on seven new ministers — including a female Prime Minister, an appointment that reflects a major departure from tradition in this male-dominated society.

The shake-up on Thursday was sparked by a deadly naval clash with North Korea. The skirmish last month dealt a serious blow to the President, Kim Dae-jung's "sunshine" policy of engaging North Korea. Critics denounce it as giving away too much in return for little from an ungrateful regime.

The outgoing Defence Minister, Kim Dong-shin, was criticised for not taking a resolute stand in the clash along the poorly marked western sea border.

Mr. Kim Dae-jung brought on a retired General, Lee Jun, former commander of South's largest field army, as the new Defence Minister. Chang Sang, a former university president, was named Prime Minister, the first woman to hold the post. Ms. Chang, who takes over from Lee Han-dong, must still gain the approval of the National Assembly.

Though the Prime Minister post is largely ceremonial, the appointment of a woman was considered important.

"The role of women is very important in the 21st century," the Presidential Chief of Staff, Park Jie-won, said of the move.

The June 29 navy battle broke out when two South Korean navy patrol boats tried to chase out two North Korean warships that intruded into South Korea-controlled waters in the Yellow Sea. One South Korean boat took a direct hit in its steering room, killing its commanding officer and three sailors.

Nineteen other sailors were wounded and one was listed as missing. North Korea admitted that its military also suffered casualties but did not disclose details. South Korean officials believed that about 30 Northern sailors were believed to have died.

South Korea blamed North Korea for the "premeditated" incident, while North Korea claimed that South Korean vessels fired first. Also affected in the shake-up were the justice, tourism, information, health and maritime affairs ministers.The government reorganisation comes ahead of parliamentary by-elections in August and Presidential voting in December. — AP

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