Jeon Yun Churl named S. Korea's new top economic policy-maker

0 Comments | Asian Political News, April 22, 2002

SEOUL, April 15 Kyodo

President Kim Dae Jung on Monday named Jeon Yun Churl as new deputy prime minister for finance and economy, the nation's top economic policy-maker, to replace Jin Nyum, who resigned Saturday to run in June local elections, the presidential office said.

''President Kim selected new Deputy Prime Minister Jeon for his extensive expertise on economic affairs and also for his capabilities to push ahead with current economic policies,'' Chief Presidential spokeswoman Park Sun Sook said.

Jeon, who formerly served as chairman of the Fair Trade Commission and also planning and budget minister, was appointed presidential chief of staff in January.

Jin quit his post to run in the ruling Millennium Democratic Party's nomination race for the Kyonggi gubernatorial election set for June 13.

President Kim named Park Jie Won, a special adviser to the president for policy, as new presidential chief of staff in place of Jeon.

Park Jie Won has been regarded as a close aide to President Kim.

In Monday's partial shakeup of his staff, Kim also named Lee Ki Ho, former senior presidential secretary for economic affairs, as special adviser to the president for economic, welfare and labor affairs, a newly established minister-level post.