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 stated on Thursday (May 1, 2025) he was resigning amid reports he will run in subsequent month’s Presidential election.

Mr. Han stated in a televised briefing that he had decided he would stop to take “a bigger responsibility” for the nation. South Korean media reported Mr. Han will formally launch his Presidential marketing campaign on Friday (May 2).

Mr. Han was appointed Prime Minister, the nation’s No. 2 put up, by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was faraway from workplace, triggering the by-election.

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Han has been rising as a possible conservative commonplace bearer, as the principle conservative People Power Party stays in disarray over Yoon’s December 3 imposition of martial legislation.

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