LISA BARRON, CNN ANCHOR: In South Korea, Cabinet ministers handed in their resignations en masse after parliament voted to sack the minister in charge of policy on North Korea. The vote is seen as a blow to President Kim Dae-jung. Some analysts are warning that any prolonged political squabbling could further delay stimulus plans to cope with the country's slowing economy. CNN Seoul bureau chief Sohn Jie-ae joins me now on the line from the South Korean capital -- Jie-ae.</s>SOHN JIE-AE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Lisa, the Cabinet reshuffled. That is expected to happen later this week. It is not expected to have an immediate impact on economic policies. The economic ministers that are expected to be replaced are transportation and construction, agriculture, as well as maritime affairs ministries. These officials are affiliated with the United Liberal Democrats, which has realistically broken off its coalition with President Kim Dae-jung's party, by voting against his party and for the dismissal of the unification minister. But other economy-related ministers, including the finance minister, who is considered to have the most influence on economic policy, are expected to be retained. So there is not any expectation of immediate change, but as you mentioned, President Kim, since he has lost his majority edge in parliament, with the breakup of the political coalition, he may find opposition to his reform policies becoming louder and find it more difficult to pass reform policies in the national assembly. So many analysts here are concerned about that aspect, which could be looming in the mid- to long-term future -- Lisa.</s>BARRON: Jie-ae, thank you. END TO ORDER VIDEOTAPES AND TRANSCRIPTS OF CNN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMING, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE THE SECURE ONLINE ORDER FROM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
South Korean Cabinet Members Resign Following Parliament's Sack of Unification Minister