스가, 일본 새 총리로 선출...내각 절반이상 '아베 인물' 배치<br /><br />Yoshihide Suga took office as Japan's first new prime minister in nearly eight years after security majority in a parliamentary vote today.<br />He's formed his Cabinet... roughly half of them with familiar faces as he pledged to stay the course set by his predecessor Shinzo Abe.<br />South Korean President Moon Jae-in sent a letter to congratulate the new prime minister saying Seoul is willing to sit down for talks with Tokyo any time.<br />Yoon Jungmin has more.<br />Securing a majority in parliament on Wednesday with his Liberal Democratic Party, Yoshihide Suga officially became Japan's 99th Prime Minister.<br />"According to Article 18, Chapter 2 of the rules for the House of Representatives, Yoshihide Suga has been appointed as Prime Minister by the Diet members."<br />Suga picked as his chief cabinet secretary... the current health minister Katsunobu Kato.<br />Among those staying in their current posts are Finance Minister Taro Aso and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.<br />Shinzo Abe's younger brother Nobuo Kishi, who was adopted by their uncle, will serve as defense minister.<br />Eight cabinet officials from the Abe administration are staying on,... and three other members from the previous cabinet are taking different posts.<br />Suga's reshuffle mainly affects those from factions that supported him during the LDP leadership election... but also includes a few of those who did not.<br />"Suga was elected as the Prime Minister with the support from several party factions... based on his pledge to continue the Abe administration. He can't back out of that."<br />Experts say that because Suga has pledged to carry on with the policies of his predecessor,... it may take some time to start talks with South Korea over a series of thorny issues.<br />But, they say, if Suga calls a snap election soon and solidifies his position,... he will be given more leeway to carry out his own policies.<br />Seoul's top office said Wednesday that President Moon Jae-in sent a letter to Suga to congratulate him... and to say that South Korea is willing to sit down with Japan for talks at any time.<br />Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.<br />
