Korea's top AI official set for parliament run, raising doubts over DPK candidate strategy

“Ha Jung-woo, senior presidential secretary for AI policy and future planning, tendered his resignation, Tuesday, in what is widely seen as a prelude to a parliamentary by-election bid on June 3. The move drew criticism over the vacancy it will create at the top of the government's AI strategy and raised questions about whether the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) needed to recruit sitting presidential aides as candidates. The bid is regarded as suitable given Ha’s public-friendly profile, especially considering that the by-elections, scheduled to be held concurrently with the quadrennial local elections, have expanded to more than a dozen constituencies and include contested regions. However, some say the decision was inconsiderate, as Ha was appointed less than 10 months ago and the DPK has a broader pool of talent to draw from. Criticism is also emerging from within the ruling party, with one official saying, “Ha’s decision to run in a by-election is out of the blue, at a time when the government should be laying the groundwork to become a top-three global AI power and acc

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