New Acting President Lee Ju-ho takes full charge to stabilize security, economy until election

Things dramatically unfolded overnight in the political arena, with the post of acting president going to Education Minister Lee Ju-ho.

He started the job by holding a National Security Council meeting today.

Oh Soo-young has the latest.

Stabilizing governance amid a political storm, South Korea's new Acting President Lee Ju-ho took charge of the nation Friday, prioritising people's livelihoods and national security as his first agenda.

Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs Lee Ju-ho, as of midnight, became the country's unprecedented third interim leader in the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.

This came after two back-to-back resignations on Thursday, as Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stepped down to run in the June 3rd presidential election, and his next in line, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, quit within hours under the threat of impeachment by the National Assembly.

Lee's first course of action: convening the National Security Council to ensure livelihoods and public safety remain intact, and for watertight readiness against potential provocations from North Korea.

"Ensuring national security and the lives and safety of the people is the government's most fundamental duty. There must not be even the slightest gap in any area — whether in diplomacy, security, defense, or economic security."

The Acting President also presided over a State Council meeting to approve the 13-point-8 trillion won, or 9-point-six billion dollar supplementary budget passed by parliament, to fund wildfire recovery, AI research and development, public welfare, and infrastructure projects.

Remarking on the fastest-ever passing of extra budget seen in the last two decades, Lee stressed the interim government must not cease to address challenges affecting national interests, such as trade consultations with the United States, 경제 안보, and global competition in key technologies like semiconductors and AI.

Until the next government takes office next month, Lee requested all ministers fulfill their duties until the end, in the face of history.

An economist globally renowned for education and innovation policy, the two-time Education Minister will run a caretaker government until a new president is elected.

His responsibilities now span the country's presidency, the prime minister's office, and the Finance Ministry.

With the Finance Minister's resignation, the Cabinet is left with only 14 members falling short of the 15 required to hold a State Council meeting.

However, the Ministry of Government Legislation has ruled that the 15-member requirement refers to positions, not active individuals, and that with 11 or more attendees, the Cabinet can lawfully function.

Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.