Ha Jung-woo, left, senior presidential secretary for AI policy and future planning, and Jeon Eun-su, a presidential spokesperson, enter the reception room at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Ha Jung-woo, senior presidential secretary for AI (artificial intelligence) policy and future planning, confirmed his resignation Tuesday in what is widely seen as a prelude to a parliamentary by-election bid on June 3. The move drew criticism over the vacancy it will create at the top of the government's AI strategy and raisedquestions about whether the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) needed to recruit sitting presidential aides as candidates.

The bid is regarded as suitable given Ha’s public-friendly profile, especially considering that the by-elections, scheduled to be held concurrently with the quadrennial local elections, have expanded to more than a dozen constituencies and include contested regions.

However, some say the decision was inconsiderate, as Ha was appointed less than 10 months ago and the DPK has a broader pool of talent to draw from.

Criticism is also emerging from within the ruling party, with one official saying, “Ha’s decision to run in a by-election is out of the blue, at a time when the government should be laying the groundwork to become a top-three global AI power and accelerating policy implementation.”

The official was referring to Ha’s stature as the inaugural senior presidential secretary for AI policy and future planning after President Lee Jae Myung took office in June 2025. He also underlined that the next three to five years will be a golden time in establishing mid- to long-term AI strategies and executing them with resolve.

Lee Kang-yun, a political commentator, noted that criticism of Ha is “partially understandable,” as his role was intended to entail a mid- to long-term commitment.

Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, said the DPK could “do more research in drafting a prodigy with nationwide name recognition other than Ha in its push to secure an upset victory.”

Ha will be running in Busan’s Buk A constituency, a traditional conservative stronghold that has emerged as one of the most closely watched races nationwide.

The constituency was held by the DPK before its district lawmaker, Chun Jae-soo, stepped down to run for Busan mayor.

Source: Korea Times News