Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.
Presidential AI secretary nears decision on run in Busan by-election
Ha Jung-woo, left, presidential secretary for AI policy and future planning, and presidential spokesperson Jeon Eun-soo enter a reception room at the presidential office, Monday, ahead of a meeting between President Lee Jae Myung and Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis. Yonhap
By Bahk Eun-ji
Three-way contest looms as Han Dong-hoon’s independent bid elevates stakes in key district
Ha Jung-woo, presidential secretary for artificial intelligence (AI) policy and future planning, is nearing a decision on whether to run in the by-election for a National Assembly seat representing Busan's Buk-A constituency, with ruling party officials pointing to a possible announcement as early as this week.
The by-election, set to be held alongside the June 3 local elections, has quickly emerged as one of the most closely watched races nationwide. The seat opened after Rep. Chun Jae-soo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) stepped down to run for Busan mayor, but the contest took on a wider dimension when former People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon announced his bid as an independent.
Ha's potential candidacy is widely viewed as part of a broader strategy by the DPK to frame the by-elections as a test of the Lee Jae Myung administration's governing agenda. By putting forward a figure closely associated with its flagship AI policy, the party appears to be seeking to highlight its focus on future industries while reinforcing its reform credentials.
Party officials say Ha has effectively made up his mind to run, with discussions now centering on the timing of his resignation and the format of his announcement. Under election law, public officials must step down by May 4 to be eligible to run, making this week a critical window for any decision.
Ha himself has expressed hesitation, while leaving the door open, saying in a recent interview that “my thoughts change morning and evening,” adding that he would make a final decision after careful consideration.
Born in Busan in 1977, Ha is a computer scientist who earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees from Seoul National University. He built his career in the private sector at Samsung SDS and Naver, where he led key initiatives including the Korean platform giant's AI Lab and cloud-based AI innovation programs. Ha later served on government advisory bodies on digital platforms and data policy before joining the presidential office in his current role.
Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, left, shakes hands with a resident after completing his change of residence registration at a community center in Busan’s Buk District, April 14, formally signaling his bid for the Buk-A by-election triggered by Rep. Chun Jae-soo’s Busan mayoral run. Yonhap
Within the administration, he has been regarded as a central figure behind the government’s ambition to position Korea as one of the world’s leading AI powers.
That background has made him an attractive option for party leaders looking to bring policy expertise to the National Assembly.
Rep. Jung Chung-rae, leader of the DPK, is known to have personally urged Ha to run.
According to party officials, Jung told him he is “the architect of Korea’s push to become one of the world’s top AI powers,” saying that he should “come to the Assembly and complete that work through legislation.”
Local party figures in Busan have also publicly called on him to enter the race, highlighting both his professional credentials and his local roots.
The political significance of the Busan Buk-A race has grown sharply in recent weeks. With a ruling party candidate, a conservative PPP nominee and independent Han all expected to compete, the race is shaping into a three-way contest.
Observers say the configuration not only complicates the electoral dynamics but also raises the stakes for both camps.
For the DPK, the district is a key symbolic stronghold. It was the only seat the party secured in Busan in the 2024 general election, making it a foothold the party cannot afford to lose.
That has fueled calls within the party for a high-profile candidate capable of mobilizing both policy support and organizational backing from the central government.
At the same time, Ha’s potential candidacy has drawn criticism from the opposition.
Han has suggested that if Ha’s candidacy is tied to the presidential office's direction, it could amount to undue political interference, sharpening tensions over the race.
The ruling party has rejected such claims, describing Ha as a candidate whose expertise could help translate national policy into legislation.