'Presidential Candidacy' Prime Minister Jeong to Resign Possibly Next Week... Successors Kim Bu-gyeom and Won Hye-young Mentioned

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is reportedly expected to submit his resignation as early as next week. Potential successors include former Minister of the Interior and Safety Kim Boo-kyum and former Democratic Party lawmaker Won Hye-young.

According to political circles on the 6th, it is highly likely that Prime Minister Chung will officially submit his resignation to run in the next presidential election after returning from a business trip to Iran early next week. Prime Minister Chung is scheduled to visit Iran soon to resolve the release of the Korean vessel 'Hanguk Chemiho' and its captain, who are currently detained in Iran.

Having openly expressed his intention to run in the next presidential election, Prime Minister Chung was initially rumored to resign at the end of last year, but postponed the timing due to the third wave of COVID-19 and other factors. However, it appears that he has decided to resign around the April 7 by-elections to guarantee the next prime minister's term for at least about a year.

However, an official from the Prime Minister's Office stated that the specific resignation timing has "not been finalized." It is expected that after returning from the Iran trip, he will meet President Moon Jae-in in person to first express his intention to resign. Whether Prime Minister Chung will resign immediately and return to the Democratic Party or wait until the successor candidate is approved through the National Assembly hearing and verification process remains undecided.

In political circles, former Minister Kim Boo-kyum from Daegu is being mentioned as the next prime minister. Considering the timing ahead of the next presidential election, this is interpreted as a regional balance consideration.

Also mentioned is former five-term lawmaker Won Hye-young. As the founder of Pulmuone Foods, former lawmaker Won is regarded as a representative unifying politician within the ruling party, raising expectations that he can smoothly pass the confirmation hearing. He is considered suitable as a 'managerial' leader for the last prime minister of the Moon Jae-in administration.

Former Minister Lee Tae-bok, who served as Senior Secretary for Welfare Labor at the Blue House and Minister of Health and Welfare during the Kim Dae-jung (DJ) administration, is also being discussed. Born in Boryeong, Chungnam, Lee is a symbol of the Korean labor movement and a senior figure in the democratization movement, having served 7 years and 4 months in prison due to the 'Hakrim Incident,' a representative public security fabrication case during the Chun Doo-hwan regime.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.