Who is S. Korea’s new acting President Lee Ju-ho?

Fourth in the line of power succession, Lee now wears four hats: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister for economic affairs, and education minister

Education Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs Lee Ju-ho has assumed the role of acing president, following the successive resignations of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok.

Education Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs Lee Ju-ho (Yonhap)

Lee will serve in the role until the presidential election scheduled for June 3.

With his predecessors in the presidential line of succession stepping down one after another, the education policy expert, as the fourth-ranking official in the presidential line of succession, is now overseeing state affairs, including foreign policy, national security and the economy.

In his current role, Lee is to simultaneously act as president, prime minister, deputy prime minister for economic affairs and education minister — effectively wearing four hats.

Under South Korea’s Constitution and Government Organization Act, if the president is unable to perform his or her duties, the line of succession for acting president is as follows: prime minister, deputy prime minister for economic affairs (finance minister), deputy prime minister for social affairs (education minister) and then other Cabinet ministers in a designated order.

Lee assumed the role after Yoon's impeachment and removal from office and two subsequent resignations.

An economist specializing in labor economics, Lee has served as education minister twice. He previously headed the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology under the Lee Myung-bak administration from 2010-13. Lee was again appointed as education minister in November 2022 under President Yoon Suk Yeol.

During Yoon’s presidency, Lee spearheaded several major education reforms. He introduced the Neulbom School program, which offers free after-school care for young elementary students, and led efforts to expand medical school admissions by 2,000 seats, which ultimately collapses. He also championed the adoption of digital textbooks, including artificial intelligence-based textbooks implemented this school year.