▲ Prime Minister Kim Min-seok speaks during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on June 30, 2026. (Yonhap)

PM-Cabinet meeting

PM pledges to do best for Lee administration's success after returning to National Assembly

SEOUL, June 30 (Yonhap) -- Outgoing Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Tuesday he will do his best for the success of the administration of President Lee Jae Myung as a lawmaker of the ruling party, as his time as the country's No. 2 official is drawing to a close.

Kim made the remark during what could be his last Cabinet meeting before leaving office. One of Lee's key political allies, Kim is preparing to run for leader of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) in the party's upcoming national convention, after serving as Lee's first prime minister since July last year.

"I hope you will work hard with the president and the next prime minister and serve the people so that after some time, the Lee Jae Myung administration will be recorded as the first chapter of the Republic of Korea's golden age," Kim said. "I will do my best from the party and the National Assembly for the success of state affairs."

Lee has nominated Han Seong-sook, minister for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, to succeed Kim as prime minister, and the National Assembly held a two-day confirmation hearing on Han's nomination last week.

Her nomination is expected to be approved by the Assembly as the ruling party holds a majority.

Kim is pitted against former DP leader Jung Chung-rae in the race for party leader. Kim's election, if realized, is expected to help tighten Lee's grip on the DP amid an intensifying factional feud within the party.

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