President Lee Jae-myung is expected to carry out a cabinet reshuffle as early as the beginning of July. Following the June 3 local elections, the president's approval ratings have been declining, raising questions about whether the reshuffle can serve as a turning point.
According to political and government sources on June 28, the confirmation hearing for Han Seung-sook, the nominee for Prime Minister, concluded on June 26, bringing the reshuffle for the 'second-term administration' into focus.
President Lee stated during a briefing on June 19, "I cannot receive personnel recommendations from a Prime Minister who is set to retire." Following the completion of Han's National Assembly confirmation process, a new Prime Minister's recommendation is likely to accelerate the subsequent cabinet reshuffle. Both ruling and opposition parties are currently negotiating the adoption of the report on the confirmation hearing's progress, with a deadline for submission set for June 29.
On July 1, President Lee is scheduled to have a luncheon meeting with former President Moon Jae-in at the Blue House. This will be the first time President Lee has invited former President Moon for a separate meeting since taking office.
This meeting is interpreted as an effort to ease escalating factional conflicts ahead of the Democratic Party's convention in August. There is speculation that President Lee may seek former President Moon's opinion regarding the cabinet reshuffle.
President Lee has repeatedly emphasized the need for a 'speedy governance' approach in his second year in office. In a press conference marking his first anniversary, he noted, "There are several areas where roles and methods need to change," adding, "There are many challenges and difficulties."
Political analysts predict a significant cabinet reshuffle is imminent. With Han's appointment as Prime Minister, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups is expected to have a vacancy, along with potential changes in deputy ministers at the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
If Han passes the confirmation hearing and takes on the Prime Minister role, the Minister of SMEs and Startups position will open up. Candidates mentioned include former Blue House AI Strategy Chief Ha Jung-woo and Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Han-kyu. Ha is also reportedly being considered for the position of Executive Vice Chair of the National AI Strategy Committee.
For the Minister of Health and Welfare, candidates include Democratic Party lawmakers Park Joo-min and Kim Yoon, as well as Professor Kim Yeon-myung from Chung-Ang University. Park, a three-term lawmaker, is noted for his strong communication skills and experience on the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee. Professor Kim is a pension and social security expert who previously served as the social policy chief in the Moon administration.
For the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, potential candidates include Democratic Party lawmakers Maeng Seong-kyu, Yoon Hoo-deok, Son Myung-soo, and Han Jun-ho, as well as Professor Kim Se-yong from Korea University.
There is interest in whether President Lee's characteristic 'pragmatism' will be reflected in the selection of new figures, regardless of political affiliation. Previously, in forming his first cabinet, President Lee retained former Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung from the previous administration and, although he later withdrew the nomination, he initially selected former lawmaker Lee Hye-hoon as a candidate for the Ministry of Planning and Budget. Minister of Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul, a former lawmaker from the Grand National Party, has received positive evaluations for his effective communication with both ruling and opposition parties.
In a recent briefing, President Lee remarked, "Politics must always be inclusive," stating, "If a position is merely a title without responsibilities, one can appoint close associates regardless of their abilities, but if it is a role that requires work, capable individuals must be appointed, regardless of personal connections."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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