Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Korea's top AI official quits for Assembly by-election, raising doubts over DPK candidate strategy
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
By Yi Whan-woo
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 raised questions 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.
Ha will join a three-way race against the main opposition People Power Party's (PPP) Park Min-sik and former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, who announced his candidacy as an independent.
“The DPK probably thought Ha is young from a political perspective and also well-known, like Han Dong-hoon,” Shin said, comparing Ha, who is in his late 40s, with Han, who is in his early 50s.
The latter was also a star prosecutor before going on to serve as justice minister and leader of the PPP.
“Even so, the DPK could have found a candidate from outside Cheong Wa Dae, rather than someone currently focused on AI-related work,” the professor said.
Asking not to be named, another political expert said that Ha made “a bumpy start” to his political career by debating for a week before deciding to run in the election.
“I believe Ha’s move left voters feeling quite exhausted even before the election campaign began,” he said. “It ends up feeling like whether someone runs or not doesn’t really matter, and in that sense, I don’t think it will have a positive effect."
Meanwhile, another Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson, Jeon Eun-su, also resigned Tuesday and will be running in the June 3 parliamentary by-elections.
Jeon is expected to compete in Asan B constituency in South Chungcheong Province, which has been vacant since June last year, following the resignation of current presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik from his parliamentary seat.
The president accepted resignation from each Ha and Jeon later in the day.
As for Ha, Lee said, "I respect this difficult decision," and added that “Wherever you are and whatever you do, I hope you will continue to serve the country and the people."
Political experts say these election bids reflect the president's high approval rating, which stands at over 60 percent, and the DPK’s efforts to capitalize on his popularity.
Political experts say these election bids reflect the president's high approval rating, which stands at over 60 percent, and the DPK’s efforts to capitalize on his popularity.