South Korean appearing President Han Duck-soo speaks throughout a press convention on the Authorities Complicated in Seoul, South Korea, Might 1, 2025.
Hong Hae-in/Yonhap by way of AP
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Hong Hae-in/Yonhap by way of AP
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s appearing President Han Duck-soo mentioned Thursday he’s resigning to tackle “heavier responsibility” amid expectation he’ll run in subsequent month’s presidential election.
Han has emerged as a possible conservative customary bearer, and South Korean media reported he’ll formally launch his presidential marketing campaign Friday.
“I have two paths ahead of me. One is completing the heavy responsibility that I handle now. The other is putting down that responsibility and taking a heavier responsibility,” Han mentioned. “I’ve finally determined to put down my post to do what I can and what I have to help overcome the crises facing us.”
Han was appointed prime minister, the nation’s No. 2 submit, by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose elimination from workplace triggered the by-election to be held June 3.
The principle conservative Folks Energy Occasion stays in disarray over Yoon’s Dec. 3 imposition of martial legislation. Observers say Han is predicted to align with the Folks Energy Occasion to launch a unified conservative marketing campaign towards liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung.
Han, 75, is a profession bureaucrat with about 40 years of public service and a Harvard doctorate in economics. He has held prime posts underneath each conservative and liberal governments, together with commerce minister, finance minister and ambassador to the U.S. He is served as prime minster twice, first underneath liberal President Roh Moo-hyun from 2007-2008 and later underneath Yoon.
Han’s supporters say his intensive authorities expertise, particularly on financial affairs, would make him a proper chief who can take care of President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff insurance policies and different financial issues. However his critics say Han — who has by no means had an elected submit — has no robust political help base, is just too outdated to turn into president and lacks a tricky management to sort out contentious points.
Lee, gained the nomination of the principle liberal opposition Democratic Occasion on Sunday and has been favored to win.
With Han’s resignation, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok turns into appearing president till a brand new chief is elected on June 3.
