Korea faces leadership vacuum amid political turmoil ahead of June election

Acting President Lee Ju-ho, deputy prime minister and minister of education, arrives at Government Complex Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

Korea has entered uncharted political territory after Education Minister Lee Ju-ho assumed the role of acting president, following the resignations of two senior officials ahead of him in the constitutional line of succession.

With just over a month until the June 3 presidential election, concerns are mounting over a deepening leadership vacuum and the government's ability to effectively manage state affairs during this critical period.

Lee took office as acting president after Prime Minister Han Duck-soo resigned on Thursday to launch his own presidential campaign. Hours later, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok submitted his resignation as the National Assembly was set to vote on an impeachment motion against him.

With both Han and Choi stepping down, the constitutional line of succession placed the deputy prime minister for social affairs and education minister in charge of national leadership.

The unprecedented chain of succession saw presidential authority passed down through three offices, culminating in the appointment of the education minister as acting president. This leadership structure has sparked fears of a governance crisis, raising concerns about the state’s ability to maintain continuity and stability amid the constant political upheaval.

“We must be especially vigilant at this moment. There should be no gaps in our national security or diplomacy,” Lee said during an emergency National Security Council meeting on Friday. He urged government agencies to remain on high alert and emphasized the importance of stable governance during the transition period.

Despite his reassurances, skepticism persists over whether an education policy expert can effectively lead a government grappling with critical issues, including trade negotiations with the United States and unresolved high-level talks with the Czech Republic over a nuclear power plant deal. To complicate matters further, Lee now bears the responsibility of overseeing the upcoming presidential election amidst sharp political polarization and institutional disruption.

Lee pledged to focus on fair election management and stable administration over the next five weeks.

“Running a country ultimately depends on the system,” he told reporters. “I will do my utmost to ensure continuity in governance and maintain public trust.”

Han Duk-soo, former prime minister, enters a vehicle after declaring his presidential bid at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

A former education minister under the Lee Myung-bak administration, Lee was appointed in 2022 under former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Trained as an economist, he built a reputation in the education sector as a reform-minded technocrat. However, his lack of experience in foreign affairs and national security has prompted criticism from both inside and outside the government.

The government argues that Cabinet meetings remain valid as long as the positions are formally filled, even if the seats are temporarily vacant. But legal experts are divided over whether this interpretation meets constitutional requirements.

Observers say the situation has exposed critical vulnerabilities in Korea’s constitutional succession framework.

The cascading transfer of authority — from president to the prime minister, then to the finance minister and finally to the education minister — has raised concerns about a breakdown in executive leadership. Government sources acknowledge internal limitations, noting that the acting president lacks direct experience in national security or diplomacy, and must now manage overlapping domestic and international crises with minimal institutional support.

Political parties are locked in a war of words over the developments.

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) criticized Han and Choi for prioritizing personal ambition over national responsibility, accusing them of abandoning their duties. The People Power Party (PPP), meanwhile, blames the opposition’s wave of impeachments for deliberately paralyzing the administration.

The resignations came in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling to overturn an appellate court's acquittal of DPK candidate Lee Jae-myung, reviving speculation about his eligibility to run for president under election law. In response, the DPK accelerated its push to impeach officials linked to the Yoon administration, including Choi and the prosecutor general, raising questions about the political motives behind the timing.

As Korea navigates national security concerns, foreign negotiations and an approaching presidential election, much of the responsibility now rests with an acting leader unaccustomed to this level of authority. How effectively the government can maintain stability and public confidence during the transitional period will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.