South Korean President Lee Myun Bak on Sunday appointed former provincial governor Kim Tae ho as the country's new prime minister, as part of the biggest government reshuffle the country has seen since Lee became president two-and-a-half years ago, dpa reported. Kim, 47, is to replace outgoing prime minister Chung Un Chan, 64, who resigned at the end of July. He is expected to play an important role in communicating with younger generations, a presidential spokesman said Sunday in Seoul. Kim and seven other newly appointed cabinet ministers were also expected to strengthen the conservative president's reform programme. "I will try to become an icon of communication and unity," Kim was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency. Mid-term reshuffles are not unusual in South Korea, where most decisions are taken directly by the president. The reshuffle was also a response to the defeat of the ruling party Grand National Party (GNP) during country-wide, regional elections at the beginning of June. -- SPA
