President to meet ruling party lawmakers amid call for major reshuffle

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak plans to meet with members of
his ruling Grand National Party (GNP) next week for discussions on various
ongoing issues including North Korea's recent nuclear test, an official at the
presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae said Friday.
The meeting overlaps with a demand by the party's special reform committee for
the president carry out a major reshuffle of his Cabinet and Cheong Wa Dae.
"We are working to hold a meeting early next week between President Lee and all
GNP lawmakers," the official told reporters, asking not to be identified.
The meeting comes at the request of GNP leader Park Hee-tae, who said he wanted
to report the outcome of a party workshop held earlier this week to the
president.
The ruling party is asking the president to change every "fragment" of his
government and office, saying that is the only way to halt the ongoing spread of
anti-government sentiment triggered by the recent death of former President Roh
Moo-hyun.
President Lee has apparently refused to take the advice, and was quoted as saying
that a personnel reshuffle must not be used as a tool to overcome political
difficulties.
A recent poll by the ruling party showed the party's approval rate fell behind
that of the main opposition Democratic Party for first time in four years after
the former president died May 23.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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