Han Duck-soo, the former prime minister of South Korea, declared his intention to run for president on Friday, entering the race in a snap election brought on by the former president’s impeachment.
Who succeeds impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted due to his disastrous imposition of martial law in December that plunged South Korea into protracted political unrest, will be determined by the poll on June 3.
After two important government officials, including Han, resigned and a retrial was announced for a presidential candidate accused of violating election laws, political unrest in the nation worsened on Thursday.
By indicating that he was prepared to “take on a greater responsibility” upon his resignation as acting president and prime minister on Thursday, Han had alluded to a potential presidential run.
In a Friday broadcast speech, Han stated, “I have decided to do what I can for the future of the Republic of Korea, a country I deeply love, and for all of us.”
“I will do my utmost to be chosen by our people in this presidential election.”
When parliament impeached Yoon in December, the former prime minister became the nation’s interim president.
It is anticipated that Yoon’s People Power Party and the 75-year-old career bureaucrat would form a cohesive conservative campaign against liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung.
Han has served in a number of high-level positions in both liberal and conservative administrations, including ambassador to the US, finance minister, and commerce minister.
Notably, Han has held the position of prime minister twice: once under Yoon and again under the late former president Roh Moo-hyun.
“As a proud public servant of the Republic of Korea, I have dedicated my life to serving on the front lines of economic development,” Han declared, promising to address the ongoing trade situation involving Washington’s tariffs.
Additionally, he pledged to shorten the presidential term by amending the Constitution.
Critics have long criticized South Korea’s one-term, five-year presidential system for concentrating too much power in the hands of one person and for not having enough checks and balances.
Han’s revelation, which might end frontrunner Lee’s prospects of competing in the race next month, comes a day after the nation’s top court reversed a decision that found him not guilty of making misleading statements during a prior campaign.
As opposition members voted on his impeachment for alleged involvement in the martial law episode, among other reasons, finance minister Choi Sang-mok, who was supposed to succeed Han as acting president, resigned that same day.
Choi’s resignation resulted in the suspension of the impeachment process.
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