Outgoing politicians-turned-ministers likely to step down on May 9

From left: Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae, Justice Minister Park Beom-kye, and Interior Minister Jeon Hae-cheol / Yonhap and Korea Times file

Seven politician-turned-ministers in the outgoing Moon Jae-in administration are likely to step down May 9, a day before incoming President Yoon Suk-yeol is inaugurated, a political source said Wednesday.

The seven ministers, including Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae, Justice Minister Park Beom-kye and Interior Minister Jeon Hae-cheol, have agreed to resign the day that Moon's term ends, according to the source.

The four other ministers are Unification Minister Lee In-young, Environment Minister Han Jeoung-ae, SMEs and Startups Minister Kwon Chil-seung and Culture Minister Hwang Hee.

However, some ministers are likely to keep their posts for the time being, even after Yoon's administration is inaugurated, due to uncertainties over National Assembly confirmation hearings for the incoming president's picks for Cabinet members, including prime minister nominee Han Duck-soo.

Cabinet appointments are subject to hearings but do not need Assembly approval to take their posts, while the prime minister is the only Cabinet post that does.

The minimum number of ministers required for a Cabinet meeting is more than half of 19 ministers and an agenda will be approved if more than two-thirds of the ministers in attendance vote for it. (Yonhap)