S.Korean PM to inform intention of resignation to Roh: report

South Korean Prime Minister Goh Kun will express his intention to resign while having a dinner meeting with reinstated President Roh Moo-hyun later Friday, according to Goh's aides.

Goh, who served as acting president for the past 63 days since the March 12 presidential impeachment, will not, however, officially submit his resignation during the dinner meeting to allow Roh has time to arrange for a new lineup of prime minister and cabinet ministers, South Korean Yonhap News Agency quoted aidsof Goh as reporting.

Previously, Goh once told reporters he would resign after the Constitutional Court made a ruling favored Roh on the impeachment case, winding up his 44-year career as a government official.

Earlier Friday, the court turned down the impeachment motion passed by the National Assembly on March 12, which reinstated Roh's administrative rights.

It was reported that the Presidential Office did not expect Gohto retire immediately.

The new National Assembly convenes on June 5 and Roh is hoped to conduct cabinet reshuffle in mid-June.

Former South Gyeongsang Governor Kim Hyuck-kyu is the leading candidate to replace Goh. But the opposition Grand National Party voiced dissatisfaction with Kim, as he left the GNP earlier this year and joined the pro-government Uri Party.

Source: Xinhua