South Koreans frustrated with constant leadership churn: ‘I stopped caring’

The country faces a leadership vacuum as Education Minister Lee Ju-ho becomes acting president, sparking public unease

In the American drama Designated Survivor, the US secretary of housing and urban development unexpectedly assumes the presidency after 12 officials ahead of him in the line of succession are wiped out.

A less dramatic but equally surreal scenario unfolded in South Korea on Friday, though the presidential line of succession did not make it to No 13.

On Thursday, former acting president and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo resigned to run for president, while former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choi Sang-mok stepped down following an impeachment push in the National Assembly by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).

Now, with the snap presidential election set for June 3, Education Minister Lee Ju-ho is serving as acting president.

With former president Yoon Suk-yeol impeached last month and the nation’s No 2 and No 3 officials no longer in power, South Korea is facing an unprecedented leadership vacuum, intensifying public concerns over the uncertainty of its political future.

“Seriously? Even the education minister is acting president now? That was my first thought when I saw the news,” Song Hyun-woo, a 26-year-old preparing to become a navy officer, said.

“Of course, a nation doesn’t collapse overnight, but the government’s failure to act decisively on serious issues has already shaken my confidence. I can’t help but feel deeply uneasy,” he said.

He expressed particular concern about the country’s ability to respond to North Korean provocations, especially with the defence minister position vacant for nearly five months following the resignation of former defence chief Kim Yong-hyun shortly after martial law was declared last year.

Another citizen expressed concern about the leadership vacuum, particularly as US President Donald Trump exerts pressure on the world with tariffs.

“This is already a terrible moment economically. I just don’t understand why it had to come to this,” said Choi Jin-young, a 60-year-old retiree in Seoul, adding that disillusionment with politics has made him lose faith in the system.

“No matter how much I pay attention to politics, nothing changes, so I’ve stopped caring,” he said. “The country is in crisis, and all I can do is hope we get through it. But honestly, I don’t know what ordinary people like us are supposed to do.”

Many online users were also stunned to see the education minister serving as acting president.

A YouTube clip of him issuing an emergency directive to public officials drew a wave of sarcastic comments. One read: “The education minister is acting president … seriously, is this even a country?” It racked up more than 1,000 likes.

Others added, “At this rate, we’ll soon see even the local village chief become the leader” and “this is turning into a complete farce”.

But not everyone viewed the situation as troubling.

Jung, a business executive who has worked in Los Angeles for four years and asked to be identified only by his family name, said that the current leadership vacuum probably will not have much effect on tariff negotiations with the Trump administration.

“The US keeps changing its stance on tariffs almost every week,” Jung said.

“With even America unsure of its position, it hardly matters who handles the talks. Even with a president in office, it probably wouldn’t make much difference.”

Still, he said he has concerns about potential provocations from North Korea. “I’m not too worried about other issues, but am concerned North Korea could make a move,” he said.

“As long as that doesn’t happen, daily life here shouldn’t be seriously affected.”

This story was first published by The Korea Times