President Lee warns Ha Jung-woo over Busan draft talk: "You shouldn't give in just because people are working on you"

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea drew attention on the 9th when he addressed Ha Jung-woo, Senior Presidential Secretary for AI Future Planning at Cheong Wa Dae, saying, "I hear people are trying to work on you, but you already have plenty to do, so you shouldn't give in just because they're putting pressure on you." The remark came right after the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) publicly floated the idea of drafting Ha to run in the Busan Buk-gu-gap constituency by-election, prompting interpretations that the president was indirectly distancing himself from calls within the party for Ha to run.
President Lee made these comments to Ha during the first plenary session of the National Economic Advisory Council held at the main building of Cheong Wa Dae on the same day. In response, Ha replied, "I will focus on my work."
The president's remarks came just one day after Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), publicly announced his intention to ask Ha to run in the Busan Buk-gu-gap constituency, making them all the more noteworthy. On the 8th, speaking to reporters in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Jung said, "We are making a concerted effort," adding, "The party will officially and publicly ask him to run in the near future." He also stated, "I am planning to meet Senior Secretary Ha soon."
The DPK is reportedly reviewing a plan to field Ha in the Busan Buk-gu-gap constituency, which is expected to become vacant as former lawmaker Jeon Jae-su prepares to run for mayor of Busan Metropolitan City. Earlier, it was also reported that party secretary-general Cho Seung-rae met with Ha to discuss the possibility of his running in Busan Buk-gu-gap.
On the 6th, Ha himself addressed speculation about a Busan Metropolitan City run during an interview on YTN Radio's "Kim Jun-woo's News Frontline." He said, "It's impossible not to give it some thought," but added, "In the end, the final decision rests with the president, who has the authority over appointments."

west@fnnews.com Sung Seok-woo Reporter