(1 May 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Seoul, South Korea – 1 May 2025
1. Former Acting President Han Duck-soo entering
2. Wide of Han bowing
3. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Han Duck-soo, former Acting President/Prime Minister:
"Now, I resign from my position as Acting President and Prime Minister. Considering the weight of my responsibility at this grave time, after long deliberation and struggle, I decided that if this is the only path I must take it. ++DIP TO WHITE++ Dear South Korean citizens, I have long been contemplating what is the best way to fulfil my responsibilities. I had to spend several sleepless nights. There are two paths in front of me. One of them is to complete my current obligation. The other is to resign from my position and take on a bigger responsibility. I have decided, in order for us to overcome the crisis we are facing, to resign from my position and pursue what I can and must do."
4. Han bowing, then leaving
STORYLINE:
South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo said Thursday he is resigning to take on “heavier responsibility” amid expectation he will run in next month’s presidential election.
Han has emerged as a potential conservative standard bearer, and South Korean media reported he will officially launch his presidential campaign Friday.
Han was appointed prime minister, the country’s No. 2 post, by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose removal from office triggered the by-election to be held June 3.
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.
Han, 75, is a career bureaucrat with about 40 years of public service and a Harvard doctorate in economics. He has held top posts under both conservative and liberal governments, including trade minister, finance minister and ambassador to the U.S. He’s served as prime minster twice, first under liberal President Roh Moo-hyun from 2007-2008 and later under Yoon.
Han’s supporters say his extensive government experience, especially on economic affairs, would make him a right leader who can deal with President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies and other economic problems. But his critics say Han — who has never had an elected post — has no strong political support base, is too old to become president and lacks a tough leadership to tackle contentious issues.
Lee, won the nomination of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party on Sunday and has been favored to win.
With Han’s resignation, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok becomes acting president until a new leader is elected on June 3.
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