South Korea’s acting leader Han resigns amid reports he will run for Presidential election

South Korean acting President Han Duck-soo. File
| Photo Credit: AP

South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo said on Thursday (May 1, 2025) he was resigning amid reports he will run in next month’s Presidential election.

Mr. Han said in a televised briefing that he had determined he would quit to take “a bigger responsibility” for the country. South Korean media reported Mr. Han will officially launch his Presidential campaign on Friday (May 2).

Mr. Han was appointed Prime Minister, the country’s No. 2 post, by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office, triggering the by-election.

Also Read | South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office over ill-fated declaration of martial law

Han has been emerging as a potential conservative standard bearer, as the main conservative People Power Party remains in disarray over Yoon’s December 3 imposition of martial law.

Observers say Mr. Han is expected to align with the People Power Party to launch a unified conservative campaign against liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung.