Ha Jung-woo to resign as presidential AI aide, expected to run in Busan Buk-gu A by-election

Ha Jung-woo, senior presidential secretary for AI and future planning, answers a question from President Lee Jae-myung during a briefing by public institutions and related agencies at Cheong Wa Dae’s Yeongbin Hall on April 17. [Photo=Yonhap]

Lee Jae-myung’s key aide Ha Jung-woo, the presidential senior secretary for artificial intelligence and future planning, offered to resign on Sunday, according to political sources.

Ha is expected to step up preparations to run in the June 3 parliamentary by-election, with the May 4 deadline for public officials to resign one week away, the sources said.

He is expected to submit his resignation later Sunday and formally announce his candidacy Monday in the Busan Buk-gu A by-election.

The seat became vacant after Rep. Jeon Jae-soo entered the Busan mayoral race. Former Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik and former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon have already declared their bids.

The Democratic Party plans to hold a talent recruitment event around Tuesday and make strategic nominations through that process, the sources said.

* This article has been translated by AI.

JUNG YEON WOO ynu@ajunews.com