Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung met with outgoing Prime Minister Kim Min-seok over lunch on Monday in what could be their last weekly discussion session. Kim is anticipated to leave office soon to run for the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party (DP).

According to Yonhap News Agency, during the meeting, the two discussed the outcomes of Kim's recent visit to China, where he engaged in talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and participated in the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting, known as the Summer Davos Forum, in Dalian. Kim's office released a statement summarizing a total of 23 weekly meetings held, focusing on crucial issues such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and addressing economic impacts from the Middle East conflict.

The statement emphasized the government's commitment to utilizing the state affairs consultation channel of weekly meetings to swiftly address pressing issues and guide the presidential office and Cabinet in running state affairs cohesively. Kim has proposed stepping down approximately a year after assuming the role of Lee's first prime minister.

President Lee has nominated Han Seong-sook, the minister for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, to succeed Kim as prime minister. The National Assembly recently conducted a two-day confirmation hearing on Han's nomination, which is expected to be approved as the ruling party holds a majority.