It has been confirmed that Son Young-taek, head of the Office of the Prime Minister, submitted his resignation on the 28th.
A relation from the Office of the Prime Minister noted in a call with ChosunBiz on the same day that "Son submitted his resignation."
Son was scheduled to attend the full meeting of the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee at 10 a.m. that day but was absent due to his resignation.
Born in 1972 and a former lawyer, Son ran as a candidate for the Future United Party in the 2020 21st General Election for Seoul Yangcheon but was not elected.
Son was appointed as the head of the Office of Civil Affairs of the Prime Minister's Office when Han Duck-soo assumed office as the acting Prime Minister in July 2022. Since December 2023, he has been serving as Chief of the Prime Minister's Secretariat and is considered a key aide to Han.
Political circles believe that Son's resignation has increased the possibility of Han's candidacy for the presidency. The fact that Kim Soo-hye, Han's aide, is also undergoing resignation procedures on the same day adds weight to this possibility.
Han is known to have scheduled no official agenda that day, instead engaging in internal activities that were not disclosed. The following day, on the 29th, he is expected to preside over the regular Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Building. It is anticipated that Han will exercise veto power (right to demand reconsideration) regarding the amendment to the Constitutional Court Act, which prevents the acting president from nominating Constitutional Court justices.
It is reported that on the 30th, he will meet with John Phelan, U.S. Secretary of the Navy, who is visiting Korea. Secretary Phelan is expected to visit a Korean shipyard to discuss cooperation on maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of vessels between Korea and the U.S. He is currently coordinating a specific schedule with Han's side.
A meeting between Han and Trump Jr., the eldest son of President Trump, who is soon visiting Korea, has not been confirmed. Trump Jr. is expected to meet with domestic business owners, including Samsung and SK.
A source in the political circles stated that "the head of the Secretariat is the most critical figure among Han's aides" and added that "resignations within the Secretariat can follow."