With the June 3 local elections concluded and President Lee Jae-myung marking the first anniversary of his inauguration on the 4th, discussions over a reshuffle for the "Lee Jae-myung administration's second phase" are gaining momentum. As Prime Minister Kim Min-seok's return to the Democratic Party is being treated as a virtual certainty, the selection of his successor has emerged as the biggest point of interest. Within and outside the ruling bloc, Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho is cited as a leading candidate, while observations suggest that Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik also remains a strong variable.
According to ruling bloc officials, Kim is known to have effectively conveyed his intention to resign during his weekly meeting with President Lee on the 1st. Kim is said to be highly likely to officially declare his resignation this month and then begin preparations for the Democratic Party's national convention scheduled for early September.
Currently, Jung is cited as the frontrunner within the ruling bloc. A five-term veteran regarded as the head of the pro-Lee faction, Jung is a representative pro-Lee figure who has shared a political journey with President Lee for nearly 20 years. Since the launch of the government, he has carried out a key state agenda as justice minister, leading prosecution reform. His communication skills with the party, government, presidential office, and opposition, as well as his political weight, are evaluated as strengths.
Analysts say the Kang card remains viable as well. Since the administration took power, Kang has served as chief of staff and as special envoy for strategic economic cooperation, assisting President Lee at the closest range. Given that he understands the president's governing philosophy and intentions better than anyone, some assessments hold that he is the right person to lead state affairs in the second year of the administration.
Within the ruling bloc, a consensus has formed that, entering the second year of the administration, a prime minister with a political background skilled in communication and cooperation with the party, government, presidential office, and opposition is needed. At a senior secretaries' meeting that day, President Lee also emphasized cooperative governance and national unity, saying, "Both the ruling and opposition parties are partners who must protect the people's lives and pioneer a better tomorrow for the nation."
Along with the prime minister selection, a reshuffle of the presidential office and cabinet is also expected to follow. The appointment of successors to former AI Future Planning Secretary Ha Jung-woo and former Spokesperson Kim Nam-jun is unavoidable, and the possibility of replacing the civil affairs, social, and public relations and communications secretaries is also being cited. Within the cabinet, speculation is also emerging over replacing Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin, Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kim Yoon-deok, and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.
