The Democratic Party of Korea has recruited Ha Jung-woo, former Senior Presidential Secretary for AI and Future Planning, and Jeon Eun-su, former Presidential Spokesperson, as new talent ahead of the National Assembly by-elections set to coincide with the June 3 local elections. Ha is expected to run in the Busan Buk-gu A constituency, while Jeon is expected to run in the Asan B by-election in South Chungcheong Province.
At a second talent recruitment ceremony held Tuesday at the party leader's office in the National Assembly, Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae introduced Ha as "a talent I wanted to bring on board even if it required repeated entreaties," adding, "Seeing him actually here with me feels like a dream come true."
Jung emphasized that Ha is "a true Busan seagull and Busan native, born in Busan's Buk-gu and having completed all his elementary, middle, and high school education in Busan — raised and nurtured by Busan." He added, "Because he knows his hometown better than anyone, he is a prepared problem-solver who can most effectively address Busan's pending issues."
"If Ha has so far played the role of architect of Korea's status as one of the world's top three AI powers, we expect him to now bring his vision for an AI powerhouse to the National Assembly and complete it through legislation," Jung said.
Jung described Jeon as "a capable talent who perfectly combines three qualities: expertise, communication skills, and dedication." He praised Jeon for "clearly conveying the governing philosophy and policy vision of the Lee Jae-myung administration in the language of the people, serving as deputy spokesperson and then spokesperson at the presidential office."
"Having been born and raised in a provincial region and having deeply experienced the pain of regional decline, she is the capable and fitting person with the strongest sense of urgency in reviving regions and leading balanced development," Jung said. "I now expect her to listen more closely to the voices of the people at their level and work alongside them."
Ha said, "As the first AI senior secretary ever created in the history of the Republic of Korea, having completed my duty of establishing the national AI strategy, I am now heading to Busan and to the National Assembly." He added, "I will transform myself from an architect into a practitioner." He also stressed, "I want to be a seed that helps Busan reclaim its glory and opens the era of Korea as one of the world's top three AI powers."
Jeon said, "Rather than standing behind the microphone in the briefing room, I will step into the field of life to directly hear the breath of the people and find answers closer to them." She added, "The steadfast heart with which I conveyed to the people the intentions of President Lee Jae-myung, who worries about people's livelihoods more than anyone, I will now unfold by meeting citizens face to face in the region."
Ha will run in the Busan Buk-gu A by-election, a seat left vacant after Rep. Jeon Jae-soo was selected as the party's candidate for Busan mayor. Jeon is expected to run in Asan B in South Chungcheong Province, the former constituency of Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff.
