South Korean President Lee Accepts Resignations of Two Senior Aides Planning By-Election Bids

President Lee Jae Myung approved the resignations of two senior presidential officials, Ha Jung-woo and Jeon Eun-soo, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Seoul, Yonhap reported. Lee accepted letters of resignation from Ha, the presidential secretary for artificial intelligence policy and future planning, and Jeon, the presidential spokesperson.

" Ha is expected to run for a parliamentary seat in the southeastern city of Busan, while Jeon is expected to run for the Asan constituency in South Chungcheong Province.

Both are running on the Democratic Party ticket, according to Yonhap. The parliamentary by-elections are scheduled for June 3, 2026, with more than 10 seats up for grabs. These by-elections will be held alongside quadrennial local elections.

The Lee administration was launched in June 2025. Ha was appointed less than a year before his departure on April 28, 2026. Ha and Jeon were at a reception room in Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on April 27, 2026, Yonhap reported.

The main opposition People Power Party criticized Ha's departure, with party spokesperson Choi Bo-yun stating it involved "political collusion" to use the senior presidential post to launch his political career, according to Yonhap.