By Reuben Staines
Staff Reporter

President Roh Moo-hyun has delegated Unification Minister Chung Dong-young the task of coordinating the nation’s security affairs in a further move towards sharing his presidential powers, Chong Wa Dae announced Friday.

Presidential spokesman Kim Jong-min said Roh has requested Chung take over as head of the standing committee of the National Security Council (NSC).

``President Roh ordered the NSC secretariat to assist Unification Minister Chung so he can take the lead on national security issues in a responsible manner,’’ Kim said during a briefing. He stressed Chung will not be ``in charge of’’ security issues but will rather ``coordinate’’ with related bodies and make recommendations to the president.

The change was proposed by National Security Adviser Kwon Chin-ho, who until now has chaired the steering committee of South Korea’s top security affairs council, he added.

The decision to expand Chung’s responsibilities follows Roh’s announcement Tuesday that he will hand over control of day-to-day state affairs to Prime Minister Lee Hai-chan in order to focus on long-term national projects.

Since taking office in early 2002, Roh has often said he wants to dilute the powers of the office of president.

However, according to political observers, the move also may also be part of a strategy to nurture prominent figures within Roh’s administration as potential candidates for the 2007 presidential election.

Chung, a former television anchor and chairman of the ruling Uri Party, along with Kim Geun-tae, minister of health and welfare, and Prime Minister Lee have emerged as the ruling party’s leading contenders for the next presidency since being appointed to top posts within Roh’s cabinet in June.

Some experts have suggested Roh is trying to ensure stability in the state management by balancing the influence of the three in his personnel appointments.

The presidential spokesman yesterday also backed up reports that Health and Welfare Minister Kim will likely be asked to oversee social and cultural affairs as part of Roh’s new division of labor. ``We’re moving in that direction,’’ he said.

Installing Chung as chairman of the security standing committee may also help to alleviate criticism of NSC head Lee Jong-seok, a progressive figure who the conservative opposition parties believe has been wielding too much influence over the nation’s defense policy.

Meanwhile, the prime minister yesterday held his first lunch meeting with reporters covering Chong Wa Dae, indicating that he has begun to assume some of Roh’s duties.

rjs@koreatimes.co.kr