▲ Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (Yonhap)

PM-resignation

PM reportedly preparing to offer resignation after local elections

SEOUL, June 1 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is preparing to offer his resignation after this week's local elections as he plans to run for the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), news reports said Monday.

Kim plans to express his intention to resign to President Lee Jae Myung right after Wednesday's local elections to run in the race for the party leader that will be determined at the party's national convention in August, the Kyunghyang Shinmun daily and other media outlets reported.

But Kim is expected to remain in office until his successor becomes ready to take over, the reports said.

The issue could be discussed when Kim holds a weekly lunch meeting with Lee on Monday.

On Tuesday, Kim is also scheduled to hold a dinner party with Cabinet members, which some political observers say could be a farewell gathering, though Kim's office said the meeting was set up to mark the first anniversary of the inauguration of the Lee administration.

Speculation has persisted for months that Kim, a key political ally of President Lee, could step down and try to take over the party from current leader Rep. Jung Chung-rae in an attempt to further solidify Lee's grip on the party.

Jung, a hard-liner, has drawn criticism from pro-Lee party members amid views that he is leading the party in a way that suits his own hard-line supporters, rather than trying to work in tandem with Lee on key issues, though both have insisted there is no daylight between them.

Media reports have suggested possible candidates to succeed Kim as prime minister, including Lee's chief of staff, Kang Hoon-sik; presidential chief of staff for policy Kim Yong-bum; Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho; and Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung.

Other talked-about candidates include Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and DP's chief policymaker Han Jeoung-ae.

Some political watchers also say that Lee could carry out a partial Cabinet reshuffle or replace some presidential aides after the next prime minister is designated.

But a source with the ruling camp said it is too early to talk about such issues.

"The local elections are not over yet, and Prime Minister Kim is conducting his duties normally," the source said. "It is premature to talk about the possibility of the prime minister resigning or who is going to succeed him."

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