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Major shakeup in South Korea

SEOUL, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Kim Tae-ho has been nominated prime minister of South Korea in a top-level shakeup, government officials announced Sunday.

Presidential spokesman Hong Sang-pyo said Kim, 47, will improve communication with "the young generation," and drive a more pragmatic government, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.

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The last shakeup in President Lee Myung-bak's cabinet was in 2009. The latest move also replaces seven ministers and a pair of minister-level officials.

Kim is the former governor of South Gyeongsang Province, Yonhap said.

The latest reorganization followed the ruling Grand National Party's defeat in June's local elections.

"The Cabinet shake-up this time is aimed at solidifying the keynote of moderate pragmatism-oriented policy based on communication and integrity," Hong said..

The reorganization does not affect officials handling foreign affairs and Kim will keep a tough attitude in relations with North Korea, Yonhap said, noting Kim blames North Korea for the sinking of a warship in March.

"I will try to become an icon of communication and unity," Kim said following his appointment. "The key agendas of the Lee Myung-bak government are a pro-seomin (ordinary working people) policy, centrist pragmatism and economic rehabilitation."

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Kim will now face confirmation hearings before the National Assembly, which must approve his nomination.

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