In a dramatic turn of political events, South Korea‘s former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has formally declared his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for June 3, 2025. The snap election was necessitated by the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, following his controversial martial law declaration in December 2024, which plunged the nation into months of political instability and public unrest.
South Korean Han Duck-soo, 75, who briefly served as acting president after Yoon’s ouster, made his announcement during a nationally televised address on Friday. He pledged to restore political order, rebuild public trust, and steer South Korea toward economic and constitutional reform.
“For the future of the Republic of Korea, a country I deeply love, and for all of us, I have decided to do what I can,” Han stated. “I will do my utmost to be chosen by our people in this presidential election.”
Han’s presidential bid comes at a critical time when the conservative bloc, particularly the People Power Party (PPP), seeks to recover from the fallout of Yoon’s impeachment and align behind a candidate with experience, integrity, and public appeal. Political observers expect Han to lead a consolidated conservative campaign against liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung, whose candidacy has been thrown into uncertainty after a recent court ruling revived charges of false campaign statements.
A veteran bureaucrat with a storied political career, Han Duck-soo has served under both liberal and conservative administrations. He was finance and trade minister under former President Roh Moo-hyun and most recently served as Prime Minister under Yoon’s administration. He also represented South Korea as its ambassador to the United States, gaining significant diplomatic and international policy experience.
In his Friday speech, Han emphasized his commitment to tackling critical economic challenges, including strained trade relations with the United States, rising inflation, and youth unemployment. He further proposed amending the Constitution to shorten the current single five-year presidential term, a system he believes centralizes too much power in one office without adequate institutional checks.
“I have dedicated my life to serving on the front lines of economic development,” he said. “It is time to modernize our Constitution to ensure accountability, transparency, and balanced governance.”
Han’s campaign announcement follows a wave of high-level resignations and judicial rulings that have reshaped South Korea’s political landscape. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who was expected to replace Han as acting president, also resigned on Thursday, ahead of an impeachment vote. His resignation prompted the National Assembly to suspend further impeachment proceedings.
Meanwhile, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party and the top liberal contender, is facing a political storm after South Korea’s highest court overturned a previous ruling that had acquitted him of election-related misconduct. The retrial poses a significant threat to his eligibility and the opposition’s prospects in the forthcoming election.
Political analysts predict a heated and unpredictable race as the country’s top conservative and liberal figures battle for leadership at a time when public confidence in governance is at an all-time low. The June election will not only determine South Korea’s next president but may also reshape the nation’s democratic structure, economic priorities, and foreign alliances for years to come.
As the race intensifies, voters will be watching closely to see how Han Duck-soo and his rivals address the nation’s pressing needs — from constitutional reform and economic recovery to political stability and international relations.