South Korea’s acting president resigns

According to Yonhap News Agency, Han Duck-soo announced during a press conference at the Seoul government complex that he will participate in the presidential election scheduled for June 3.

He stated: “Considering the weight of the responsibility I bear at this critical time, after long and careful reflection on whether such a decision is truly right and inevitable, I decided that if this is the only way, I must choose it.”

Han has previously served in South Korea’s conservative and liberal governments as Minister of Trade, Minister of Finance, and ambassador to the United States, and has been appointed prime minister twice.

He was appointed acting president following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol on December 14, 2024, due to Yoon’s declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024.

Reports suggest that Han is considered a potential conservative candidate, while the conservative People Power Party remains in disarray following the crisis caused by Yoon’s impeachment. He is set to officially launch his election campaign on Friday.

The Korean outlet adds that with Han’s resignation, South Korea’s Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will serve as acting president until the election is held.