Prime Minister Han: "I Feel Responsible for Election Defeat Due to 'Lack of Communication'... Cooperation with the National Assembly Is Essential"

Handuksoo "Lack of Effort to Move Forward with the People"
Regarding the General Election Defeat Due to 'Poor Communication', "Responsibility Lies with the Executive Branch"
On Successor Prime Minister Park Young-sun, "I Don't Know the Process"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who recently expressed his intention to resign, is answering reporters' questions at a back briefing with the press corps held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo commented on the ruling party's crushing defeat in the April 10 National Assembly general election, saying, "There was a lack of effort to move forward together with the people," and emphasized that communicating with the public and cooperating with the National Assembly will be key to future success.

At a briefing with reporters held on the afternoon of the 17th at the Government Seoul Office Annex, Prime Minister Han said, "I take the election results, where the people wielded the whip, very seriously and sincerely, and I will do my best to ensure that we do not disappoint the public in future government operations."

Although Prime Minister Han tendered his resignation to President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 11th, taking responsibility for the election defeat, he has continued his duties due to delays in selecting a successor.

Regarding the reason for his resignation, Han said, "In the process of pushing forward reform tasks, the effort to move forward together with the people was desperately needed but was largely insufficient, I think," adding, "As the Prime Minister overseeing the cabinet by the President's order, I felt responsible and judged that it was right to tender my resignation."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who recently expressed his intention to resign, is answering reporters' questions at a back briefing with the press corps held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Regarding the 'lack of communication' controversy, which is pointed out as a major cause of the ruling party's election defeat, he said, "The entire executive branch must take responsibility, and as Prime Minister, I must feel this responsibility heavily," emphasizing, "It is necessary to allow the people enough time to form opinions on policies. The executive branch must proceed in this way going forward."

Prime Minister Han added that in the context of increasing global geopolitical risks, the government's failure to communicate adequately while managing prices, livelihoods, and the economy and pushing structural reforms contributed to the election defeat.

He explained, "In the process of leading such reforms, it is essential that the people fully understand and agree with the reform tasks, and that the ruling and opposition parties in the representative institution, the National Assembly, cooperate. Our government did not make sufficient efforts in this regard."

He also stressed, "The next 5 to 10 years are a critical period determining whether the Republic of Korea advances to a developed country or remains stagnant. Stabilizing livelihoods and the nation's future cannot be achieved by the executive branch alone. We must earn the cooperation of the people, the media, the National Assembly, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). I have a strong recognition of this and especially intend to build a cooperative relationship with the National Assembly."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who recently expressed his intention to resign, is answering reporters' questions at a back briefing with the press corps held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Regarding recent mentions of Park Young-sun, a former member of the National Assembly and former Minister of SMEs and Startups during the Moon Jae-in administration, as a successor to Prime Minister Han, and Yang Jeong-cheol, former head of the Democratic Research Institute, as a successor to the Presidential Chief of Staff, he refrained from commenting, saying, "I do not know much about their processes, so it is difficult to answer."

He said, "Cabinet reshuffles can be made whenever necessary depending on the situation," adding, "The President always thinks about continuously finding capable people to bring in fresh winds and create an atmosphere where the executive branch can work more innovatively whenever needed."