Apparatus and method for changing icon in portable terminal

PURPOSE: A device for performing an icon editing process in a portable terminal and a method thereof are provided to simply perform an editing mode by entering the editing mode corresponding to an editing gesture for an icon. CONSTITUTION: A gesture analysis unit(102) recognizes an editing gesture generated in an icon by sensing and analyzing a gesture received through an input unit(108). A control unit(100) performs an operation corresponding to the gesture when the editing gesture is recognized. An editing mode execution unit(104) performs an editing mode when the editing gesture is recognized. The gesture analysis unit recognizes an editing gesture generated on a single icon or a multi-icon. When the editing gesture is recognized on the single icon, the editing mode execution unit deletes the icon. [Reference numerals] (100) Control unit; (102) Gesture analysis unit; (104) Editing mode execution unit; (106) Memory unit; (108) Input unit; (110) Display unit; (112) Communication unit