SOUTH KOREA'S SHAKE

SOUTH Korean President Moon Jae-in has replaced his two top economic policymakers with current members of the government, his office announced on Friday, saying the changes were made to strengthen efforts to achieve a  equitable economy.

Moon has replaced chief presidential policy aide Jang Hasung and finance minister Kim Dong-yeon, the two most senior policymakers in charge of running Asia's fourth-largest economy, the presidential office said.

Today's appointments were intended to more strongly promote efforts to build an inclusive nation in which everyone gets better-off together,'' Moon's chief spokesperson Yoon Young Chan told a televised news conference.

The outgoing finance minister, who had served since June last year, had repeatedly clashed with Jang by calling for some adjustment of the president's 'income-led growth strategy.

Critics say Moon's signature policies, notably big minimum wage increases and a shorter work week, had backfired, with lower income earners - the intended beneficiaries -feeling the most pain as employers cut back hiring. [Agencies]