Han resigns as acting S. Korea leader amid reports of presidential run
South Korean acting President Han Duck-soo speaks during a press conference at the Government Complex in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Hong Hae-in/Yonhap via AP)
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo said Thursday he was resigning amid reports he will run in next month’s presidential election.
Han said in a televised briefing he determined he would quit to take “a bigger responsibility” for the country. South Korean media reported Han will officially launch his presidential campaign Friday.
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.
READ: South Korea court reinstates impeached PM Han as acting president
Han has been emerging as a potential conservative standard bearer, as the main conservative People Power Party remains in disarray over Yoon’s Dec. 3 imposition of martial law.
Observers say Han is expected to align with the People Power Party to launch a unified conservative campaign against liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung.
