Han Je-hyun, Seoul City Deputy Mayor for Administration 2, Resigns

Yoo Chang-soo Likely to Succeed as Head of Housing Policy Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] It was reported on the 4th that Han Je-hyun, Deputy Mayor of Administration 2 of Seoul, recently expressed his intention to resign to Mayor Oh Se-hoon. Yoo Chang-soo, Director of the Housing Policy Office, is known to be the leading candidate for his successor.

Deputy Mayor Han entered public service in 1991 through the 27th Technical Examination and has served for 31 years as Director of Urban Planning, Director of Regeneration Policy Planning, Director of Water Circulation Safety Bureau, Head of Urban Infrastructure Headquarters, and Director of Safety General Office. After the Itaewon disaster occurred on October 29 last year, he led the disaster response work centered on the Safety General Office under his jurisdiction.

Deputy Mayor Han’s resignation comes about five months after his appointment on July 29 last year.

The reason for his resignation appears to be taking responsibility for the Itaewon disaster. The Safety General Office is under the Deputy Mayor of Administration 2. Deputy Mayor Han previously served as Director of the Safety General Office.

A city official stated, "He has already passed the retirement age and decided to step down to open the way for his juniors," adding, "He expressed his intention to resign in line with the year-end staff personnel changes."

The Deputy Mayors of Administration 1 and 2 of Seoul are vice-ministerial political appointees with presidential appointment authority. They are appointed after the President’s approval following Seoul City’s recommendation.