Lee replaces top political, public affairs aides

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with announcement; CHANGES headline)
SEOUL, June 9 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak replaced his top political and public affairs secretaries and 10 lower-level aides Friday, his chief of staff announced.
A shake-up of Cheong Wa Dae has been expected for months to revitalize the presidential office ahead of Lee's final year in office next year and to give some aides more time to prepare to run for parliament in next year's general elections.
Rep. Kim Hyo-jae of the ruling Grand National Party was named to replace Chung Jin-suk as Lee's chief political secretary, while planning and management secretary Kim Du-woo was appointed to succeed Hong Sang-pyo as the chief public affairs aide, presidential chief of staff Yim Tae-hee said.



Earlier in the day, Rep. Kim told GNP colleagues that he accepted an offer for the new job from the president. The journalist-turned-lawmaker, who had spent about 25 years with the Chosun Ilbo newspaper, also said he will do his best to improve ties between the presidential office and the party.
The new public affairs secretary, Kim Du-woo, was also formerly a journalist with the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper.
The president also replaced spokeswoman Kim Hee-jung, naming Park Jung-ha, a press affairs secretary, to succeed her for the post, the chief of staff said. Kim is said to be preparing to run for parliament in next year's elections.
Nine other new secretaries were named, including Chang Dasaro, a civil affairs secretary who has become the new planning and management aide. The others included secretaries for political affairs, civil affairs, press affairs and industry and energy matters.
jschang@yna.co.kr