Choi Sang-mok will resume acting president duties starting from 00:00 on May 2, 2025. The Ministry of Economy and Finance announced that Deputy Prime Minister Choi will perform the duties of the acting president starting from 00:00 on May 2, 2025. This transition comes after Han Duck-soo, the previous acting president and prime minister, resigned to run in the upcoming presidential election.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance plans to reactivate the 'Task Force for Supporting Affairs under the Acting President' to assist Deputy Prime Minister Choi in his duties as acting president. This task force had previously been disbanded following the Constitutional Court's dismissal of an impeachment motion against Han on March 24, 2025. The ministry indicated that emergency instructions by field will be issued at the same time Choi's acting presidential duties begin.
Choi Sang-mok previously served as acting president for 87 days from December 27, 2024, to April 24, 2025. His return to this role comes just over a month after Han resumed his duties following the dismissal of the impeachment motion. Now, Choi will once again take on the responsibilities of acting president, as well as continuing his role as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, effectively performing three roles at once.
Choi's reappointment comes at a critical time, as he will be managing trade negotiations with the United States and overseeing the presidential election process, which is set for June 3, 2025. The government is currently facing economic challenges, including a reported negative growth of -0.2% in the first quarter of 2025, which adds to the pressure on Choi as he navigates these responsibilities.
As Choi transitions back into the role of acting president, he is expected to focus on both the ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S. and the management of the upcoming election. A government official noted, “Trade negotiations are already being handled by the Ministry of Economy and Finance in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, so we will proceed as planned. However, the management of the election will be primarily handled by the National Election Commission and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, meaning the Ministry of Economy and Finance will play a limited role.”
Despite this, Choi's schedule is anticipated to be disrupted. He was originally scheduled to depart for Italy on May 3, 2025, to attend the 'ASEAN+3' Finance Ministers' Meeting and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Annual Meeting in Milan. Given the new responsibilities, officials are now reassessing the feasibility of his attendance at these international meetings.
Choi's previous experience as acting president gives him a unique perspective on the challenges ahead. He initially assumed the '1-person, 3-role' position when Han Duck-soo's duties were suspended due to an impeachment motion from the National Assembly in December. Following the Constitutional Court's ruling that dismissed the impeachment, Han returned to office, but now Choi finds himself back in this demanding position.
With the resignation of Han Duck-soo, who officially submitted his resignation on May 1, 2025, the acting presidential baton has once again been passed to Choi. This transition has raised concerns among government officials about the potential for a national leadership vacuum at a time when economic stability is crucial.
Officials have expressed mixed feelings regarding the situation. While some view Choi's return as a necessary measure to ensure continuity in leadership, others worry about the implications of having one individual manage multiple critical roles during such a pivotal period. A government source commented, “This year’s first quarter saw negative economic growth, and we need to effectively address this while managing the national affairs leading up to the presidential election.”
Choi's ability to balance the demands of acting president with his existing responsibilities as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance will be closely scrutinized. His previous experience in these roles could prove beneficial, but the added pressure of the election may complicate his focus on economic issues.
As Choi prepares to take on the role of acting president once more, he is expected to engage in a range of discussions, including security meetings and economic assessments. His first actions are likely to involve communication with heads of related ministries to ensure a smooth transition and effective management of ongoing issues.
In conclusion, as Choi Sang-mok steps back into the role of acting president, he faces a challenging landscape filled with political, economic, and diplomatic responsibilities. With the presidential election approaching and economic pressures mounting, his leadership will be pivotal in navigating the months ahead.
