President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of Korea (ROK) officially accepted resignation of Prime Minister Goh Kun on Tuesday morning, reported the Yonhap News Agency.  

Roh took the resignation while having a breakfast meeting with Goh, who already tendered his resignation Monday when he met with presidential office Chief of Staff Kim Woo-sik and refused to make recommendations for cabinet minister replacements.

Immediately after meeting with the president, Goh attended a weekly cabinet meeting to say goodbye to Roh and other meeting participants, said Yonhap.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Lee Hun-jai will temporarily assume prime minister's job until Roh nominated a new premier.

Roh's plan to make a cabinet reshuffle was delayed due to Goh's resignation. Roh previously planed to conduct cabinet reshuffle around mid-June, but he advanced the timetable to this week, citing uneasiness among ministers and senior officials likely to be affected by the reorganization.

But according to Constitution, it is prime minister who shall make recommendation of candidates of cabinet members to president.

Goh refused to use his recommendation rights for he thought it was not proper for an outgoing prime minister to do that.

According to laws, president needs to get approval of the parliament before appointing a new prime minister. However, the new National Assembly will kick off session on June 7.

(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2004)