President Lee Jae-myung on the 28th approved the resignations submitted by Ha Jung-woo, the presidential office’s senior secretary for AI and future planning, and spokeswoman Jeon Eun-su.
In a notice, senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Lee accepted Ha’s resignation, saying he respected the “difficult decision.”
According to the presidential office, Lee told Ha he hoped he would continue to serve the country and the public wherever he works.
Kang added that Lee also approved the resignations of Jeon and Kim Seong-beom, vice minister of oceans and fisheries.
Ha and Jeon are expected to leave the presidential office as of the 28th and begin preparing for National Assembly by-elections to be held alongside the June 3 local elections.
Ha, who is widely expected to run in the Busan Buk-gu Gap by-election, told reporters he had received strong support from Lee during more than 10 months as AI senior secretary.
“Some may think 10 months is short, but I have never changed my direction of wanting to build a country where there are opportunities to grow,” he said.
He said that wherever he goes, he will focus on what matters most at the time to help make South Korea one of the world’s three leading AI powers, adding that Lee “coolly” let him go.
Ha said Lee encouraged him by saying, “You made a big decision. Wherever you go, work for the national interest and the people.”
Jeon is expected to run in South Chungcheong Province’s Asan, the constituency of presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik.
She told reporters she had worked alongside Lee on state affairs and would now communicate with the public “on the front lines,” adding, “I will do politics for the people.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.