He replaced 15 of the 22 Cabinet ministers, including most key economic portfolios. The reshuffle had been expected after Kim streamlined ministries earlier this month, eliminating about 1,000 positions including senior posts, saying government should be smaller and more efficient.
The move was intended to bolster Kim's popularity. In recent opinion polls, Kim's rating, which had once been at 90 percent, plunged to below 40 percent.
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