South Korea’s Former PM Announces Presidential Bid

South Korea’s former Prime Minister, Han Duck-soo, declared his intention to run for president on Friday, entering the race for the snap election set for June 3.

This election follows the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted over his controversial declaration of martial law in December, which plunged the country into political turmoil.

The political situation in South Korea grew more unstable on Thursday, with a retrial ordered for a presidential frontrunner on charges of election law violations. Additionally, two prominent government officials, including Han, resigned.

Han had hinted at a presidential run when he stepped down as acting president and prime minister on Thursday, expressing his willingness to “take on greater responsibility.”

“For the future of the Republic of Korea, a country I deeply love, and for all of us, I have decided to do what I can,” Han said in a televised speech on Friday.

“I will do my utmost to be chosen by our people in this presidential election.”

The former prime minister assumed the role of acting president after Yoon was impeached by parliament in December.

At 75, Han, a career bureaucrat, is likely to join forces with Yoon’s People Power Party to launch a unified conservative campaign against the liberal frontrunner, Lee Jae-myung.

Han has held several prominent positions across both liberal and conservative administrations, including finance minister, trade minister, and South Korea’s ambassador to the United States.

Notably, Han has served as prime minister twice—first under the late former president Roh Moo-hyun and more recently under Yoon.

“I have dedicated my life to serving on the front lines of economic development as a proud public servant of the Republic of Korea,” Han said, pledging that he will tackle the ongoing crisis in trade involving Washington’s tariffs.

He also pledged to amend the Constitution in order to shorten the presidential term.

South Korea’s current five-year, single-term presidency has long been criticized for concentrating too much power in the hands of one individual, with many critics arguing that it lacks sufficient checks and balances.

Han’s announcement came just a day after the country’s highest court overturned a ruling that had cleared frontrunner Lee of making false statements during a previous campaign, a decision that could jeopardize his ability to run in the upcoming election.

On the same day, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who was set to replace Han as acting president, resigned after opposition lawmakers voted to impeach him over alleged involvement in the martial law incident, among other issues. The impeachment procedure was suspended following Choi’s resignation.