S. Korean PM Plans to Quit by End of Dec.: LDP Member

December 11, 2019

Tokyo- South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon plans to resign by the end of this month, a member of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party said Wednesday.


Takeo Kawamura, former chief cabinet secretary and current secretary-general of the nonpartisan Japan-South Korea Parliamentarians' League, said in a lecture in Tokyo that he learned about the plan during telephone talks with Lee about a week ago.


"Although this has yet to be announced, Lee told me directly on the phone that he will resign as prime minister within this month," Kawamura said.


Kawamura offered the view that behind Lee's move is the upcoming presidential election, set for March 2022.


"While mentioning the election, Lee said it is about time to begin preparations," Kawamura noted.


Lee, a former Tokyo correspondent of the Dong-A Ilbo, a major South Korean daily, is known to be well versed in Japan. He took the current post after serving as governor of South Jeolla Province.


In October, Lee attend the "Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi" ceremony held in Tokyo to declare Emperor Naruhito's enthronement globally, had talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and handed a letter from South Korean President Moon Jae-in to Abe. Jiji Press