Ha Jung-woo hints at Busan by-election bid

Apr 23, 2026, 11:21 am

		0
Ha Jung-woo, senior presidential secretary for AI future planning, listens to remarks by Lee Jae-myung during a Cabinet meeting and emergency economic review session at the presidential office on April 14. / Yonhap News

Ha Jung-woo, senior presidential secretary for AI future planning, signaled he may be leaning toward running in the Busan Buk-gap by-election, saying he would share his decision at “a timing that is not too late.”

As President Lee Jae-myung wraps up his trip to India and Vietnam, attention is growing over whether Ha will enter the race.

Before departing, Ha said he would announce his position on the by-election after the overseas trip. Lee is scheduled to return on April 24.

Responding to a question on April 23, Ha said, “After the trip, I will share my decision at a timing that does not dilute the president’s message and is not too late.”

While similar to his earlier remarks, observers say the phrasing suggests a stronger inclination toward candidacy. Previously, he had said he would “carefully consider and make a decision after returning.”

His reference to “not too late” is widely seen as a nod to the May 4 deadline for public officials to resign in order to run in the by-election.

If confirmed, Ha’s candidacy would draw significant attention, marking a rapid transition from an AI expert in his 40s—formerly at Naver—to a political figure less than a year after joining the presidential office.

The Democratic Party has continued to urge him to run. Party Secretary-General Jo Seung-rae said Ha has been informed of the need to run and is in the final stage of deliberation, adding that his stance has become more flexible compared to earlier.

#Ha Jung-woo #Busan by-election #Lee Jae-myung #AI policy chief