South Korea’s new president keeps cabinet intact except justice minister’s exit

On June 4, Deputy Prime Minister Lee Ju-ho informed South Korea’s newly elected President Lee Jae-myung that all Cabinet members intend to resign, his office said. 

However, Lee Jae-myung has refused to accept the resignation of his predecessor’s administration, except for the Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The entire cabinet, led by Deputy Prime Minister and acting President Lee Ju-ho, who also heads the Ministry of Education, had offered to resign. 

The administration explained that this decision aims to ensure stability in government affairs. South Korean media notes that forming a new cabinet could take several weeks.

Lee assumed office immediately without a transition period, following an early election called to replace former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted.

Without the outgoing ministers, it would be difficult to reach the required majority of the 21 Cabinet members needed to hold meetings.

In a recent development, Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung was elected president on June 3, following a period of significant political turmoil marked by the impeachment and removal of his former opponent. His victory marks a significant comeback after narrowly losing to former President Yoon Suk Yeol by less than one percentage point in the 2022 election.

Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law in December, which ultimately led to his removal, deepened political divisions in the country and heightened challenges, such as tensions with the United States over tariffs and North Korea’s advancing nuclear programme.

With all votes counted, Lee of the liberal DP won 49.42% of the vote, while his conservative rival from the People Power Party (PPP), Kim Moon-soo, received 41.15%. Lee secured 17.3 million votes, beating Kim by 2.9 million and setting a record for the highest number of votes ever received in a South Korean presidential election, surpassing Yoon’s 16.39 million votes in 2022.

In a speech delivered in Seoul’s Yeouido district, home to the National Assembly, Lee vowed to "overcome the insurrection" and prevent a "military coup," referring to Yoon’s failed martial law attempt.

"I will fulfil my mission of creating a world where democracy is restored and the people are respected as sovereign in a democratic republic while living together in cooperation with each other," he said, joined on stage by his wife, Kim Hye-kyung.

"The moment I am confirmed as the president-elect, I will put all of my strength into reviving the economy and recovering people's livelihoods," he added.

By Aghakazim Guliyev