The former Prime Minister of South Korea, Han Duck-Soo, announced his candidacy for the presidential election next month, committing to reducing the powers of the presidency and reducing political polarization.
Han's declaration intensifies competition between conservative personalities to unify behind a single challenger to Liberal Lee Jae-Myung, whose campaign recently suffered a sudden following a court decision to make a new trial on alleged violations of electoral laws.
“I decided to find what I can do for the future of the Republic of Korea that I like and for all of us. I will try my best to be chosen by the people of this presidential election,” said Han during a press briefing in the National Assembly.
The vote of June 3 takes place early after conservative president Yoon Suk-Yeol was removed from his functions following his taxation of the martial law.
Han, who had been appointed Prime Minister by Yoon – the second highest management position in South Korea – was acting head of state following the suspension of Yoon and possible dismissal.
Han, an experienced official with four decades in the public service, previously been Prime Minister under the Liberal President Roh Moo-Hyun from 2007 to 2008, and held posts such as the Minister of the Trade, the Minister of Finance and the Ambassador to the United States.
Although never elected, Han has become a leading figure among the conservatives while the People Power Party (PPP) is struggling with an internal dismay in the aftermath of Yoon's ouster.
Although Han is not officially affiliated with any party, the members of the PPP expressed their desire to come together behind a unified candidate, including Han. The PPP should announce its candidate on Saturday.
In the event of success in his candidacy, Han declared that he would establish a commission to revise the Constitution, aimed at distributing more uniformly the executive authority between the president and the National Assembly, in accordance with a system of checks and counterweights.
His proposals would also prevent legal and political spheres from encroaching on the roles of the other.
Calls for the reform of the Presidency of South Korea – widely considered to be excessively powerful – have risen for years. The next head of state will serve a single full five -year term, but Han is committed to resigning after three years, once the constitutional changes implemented.
Han also noted that he would take advantage of his experience in economic governance to combat the current trade tensions with the United States, in particular those arising from the new pricing measures of US President Donald Trump.
The Liberal Democratic Party, led by Lee, criticized Han's candidacy, accusing him of getting rid of his responsibilities as Prime Minister of the Guardian and of not having the moral position to continue the presidency, taking into account his role in the administration of Yoon, now disappeared.
“We warn former Prime Minister Han. Do not hide your greed with a lie that you run for the people,” said party spokesman Noh Jongmyun.
