Who is the potential replacement for the South Korean Prime Minister?

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is facing pressure to reshuffle his cabinet following the heavy defeat of the ruling People's Power Party (PPP) in the April 10 general election.

Nhân sự tiềm năng thay thế Thủ tướng Hàn Quốc là ai?

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has yet to make any official statement on the cabinet reshuffle. (Source: THX)

Prime Minister Han Deok-soo, Chief of Staff Lee Kwan-sup and senior officials in the Presidential Office have all resigned.

As of April 12, President Yoon has yet to make any official statement on the cabinet reshuffle.

However, insiders said he will soon make a decision and the position of Chief of Staff of the President is expected to be replaced first, possibly on April 14.

Those mentioned as possible candidates for the position of presidential chief of staff are National Integration Commission Chairman Kim Han-gil, PPP lawmaker Jang Je-won and former Korea Communications Commission Chairman Lee Dong-gwan.

Similarly, candidates to succeed Prime Minister Han Deok-soo mentioned include former PPP chairman Kim Han-gil, Kwon Young-se, lawmaker Joo Ho-young, and former lawmaker Park Joo-seon.

The selection of personnel to replace the Prime Minister is said to be based on the criteria of a "cooperative and harmonious" working style.

Meanwhile, lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, a former presidential coalition partner of President Yoon Suk-yeol, stressed on April 12 that the entire cabinet and all of President Yoon's top aides should resign en masse following the crushing defeat in the 22nd National Assembly election.

Mr. Ahn, who was re-elected as a member of the 22nd National Assembly, said in an interview with MBC that the collective resignation was necessary to bring in new, competitive personnel to the Cabinet and the presidential office. Mr. Ahn affirmed that innovation and a comprehensive overhaul in the direction of state affairs are necessary.

The PPP suffered a heavy defeat in the election, winning only 108 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, while the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and the anti-government Korea Construction Party won 175 and 12 seats, respectively.

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