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Who is South Korea’s interim leader PM Hwang Kyo-ahn?

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South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. Photo: Kyodo
The man who takes over as government caretaker in the wake of President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment is seen by critics as a stiff and uncompromising defender of the fallen leader.

How loyal is Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn? As the corruption scandal that would bring Park down raged last month, popularly called “Choi Soon-sil Gate” after the confidante Park was alleged to have ceded government power to, Hwang suggested that it was really all his fault, not Park’s, because he had failed to support her properly.

“Amazing,” opposition lawmaker Roh Hoechan sarcastically replied. “So this was ‘Hwang Kyo-ahn Gate’ all along?”

Hwang, 59, was a state prosecutor for nearly 30 years before starting a career in politics and policymaking. He was regarded as the staunchest loyalist in Park’s cabinet. The prime minister is the country’s No 2 position but ordinarily lacks major power.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. Photo: AFP
South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. Photo: AFP

Now Hwang assumes presidential duties, including serving as commander-in-chief of South Korea’s 630,000-member military, while the country’s Constitutional Court decides whether to approve or reject Park’s impeachment. The court has half a year to decide, and if it removes Park, a presidential election would be held within 60 days.

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