South Korean President Moon Jae-in nominated five new ministers to replace that of the defense, trade, labor, education, and gender equality - part of the administration's first Cabinet reshuffle since taking office last year.
Among them, Jeong Kyeong-doo, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was tapped to replace Defense Minister Song Young-moo, who came under fire over mishandling a controversy surrounding a defense intelligence unit.
Presidential spokesperson Kim ui-gyeom said two keywords describe the Cabinet reshuffle; one is turning over a new lead and another is realization.
The minister nominees have to undergo parliamentary confirmation hearings, through their appointments do not require parliamentary approval.
Meanwhile, President Moon had a meeting with the heads of 17 provincial and city governments at the main building of the presidential office to craft new job creation plans.
During the meeting, President Moon said each local government will be asked to come up with their own plans that will best fit their own market conditions, adding, it is time to change the very paradigm and the local and central governments must change it to an upward, interactive system where the local governments take the lead, and the central government provides support.
Today's meeting is the first of its kind since the local government heads won their seats in the June local elections.
Moving on, in a statement posted on Twitter on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said there is no reason to spend money on joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. This comes after US Defense Chief James Mattis said that the Pentagon had "no plans at this time to suspend any more exercises" on the Korean Peninsula.
Meanwhile, during Thursday's regular press briefing, South Korea's defense ministry said it is yet to decide whether to conduct Vigilant Ace, the massive joint aerial drills involving hundreds of aircraft from South Korea and the US.
Lastly, A Unification Ministry official told reporters the train that South Korea tried to send into the North for a joint field study on the roads and railways was turned back because Seoul failed to inform the UNC 48 hors in advance that it would be passing through the DMZ.
However, the official mentioned he was informed the main reason for the rejection wasn't the late notice.
He added the joint study does not violate sanctions on the regime, and that the government will continue to work closely with Pyongyang and Washington to move ahead with the transportation project, as part of efforts to implement the Panmunjom Declaration.
Source: Arirang News
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