In order to complete the full nomination process before the inauguration of the new government in May, President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is anticipated to reveal his nominee for prime minister by early April, according to a representative for the president-elect.

The prime minister nominee is expected to be announced by early April, according to Yoon's spokesperson Kim Eun-hye, who spoke at a press briefing. "Considering the schedule of the parliamentary hearing (for ministerial appointments), we expect to announce the prime minister nominee by early April to coincide with the launch of the new government," Yoon said.

It seems likely that the appointment will take place after April 1 because such announcements are not normally made on April Fool's Day. In response to a question about whether or not the president-elect had been informed of potential nominees this week, the spokesperson said, "I have not checked on the details, but we would have to round up the possible candidates and conduct basic inspections in order to announce the personnel appointment by early April."

The spokesperson stated that while the present Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum has been in government for less than a year after being chosen by President Moon Jae-in in May 2021, his continuation into President Yoon's administration is a separate issue from his competency.

"(Kim Boo-kyum) has a good reputation, and I appreciate him as well, but whether or not he will continue in his position is a distinct question," Kim Eun-hye stated.

She also stated that she is unaware of the conversation that took place between Kim Boo-kyum and Yoon when they met for dinner on Friday.

It takes approximately 35 days to finalize an appointment to a ministerial position, according to officials in Yoon's office, with the procedures including a hearing at the National Assembly.

As Yoon's inauguration is scheduled for May 10, Yoon's office has stated that it has been trying to identify viable candidates for prime minister, and that it expects to provide a list of such candidates to the president-elect later this week.

According to speculation in political circles and sources within the presidential transition committee, with the president-emphasis elect's on restoring the economy, personalities from the economy sector have been identified as strong possibilities for the position.

These individuals include former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is now a trade specialist, and Park Yong-man, who was the previous chairman of Doosan Group, the country's 15th largest corporation.

Kim Han-gil, the former chairman of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea, and Park Joo-sun, the former vice speaker of the National Assembly, are both in the running for the position of president.

Another name on the list is Ahn Cheol-soo, the chairman of Yoon's presidential transition committee; the vice chairman is four-term Rep. Kwon Young-se, who has served in the House for four terms.