With the impeachment vote of the Korean National Assembly passed after Mr. Yoon’s short-term attempt to impose martial law on December 3, he was suspended from exercising presidential powers and the constitution requires the prime minister to take on an interim role.
South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo spoke at an event in Seoul on April 22
After Mr. Yoon was impeached, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duk-soo announced that he would do his best to run a stable government. “I’m very sad,” Mr. Han told reporters after the parliament approved the impeachment motion against Mr. Yoon.
In a country deeply divided by partisan rhetoric, Mr. Han is a rare official with a diverse career that transcends party lines. He is a technocrat with extensive experience and a reputation for reasonable behavior that could help him in his latest role as acting president of South Korea, according to Reuters.
Mr. Han (75 years old) has held leadership positions for more than 3 decades under 5 different presidents. He held many positions such as ambassador to the US, finance minister, trade minister, presidential secretary in charge of policy coordination, prime minister…
With a doctorate in economics from Harvard University (USA), Mr. Han’s expertise in economics, trade and diplomacy as well as his reputation for rationality, peaceful attitude and hard work have made him became a frequently trusted person in Korean politics, according to Reuters.
Mr. Han has served as prime minister since Mr. Yoon’s term began in 2022. This is the second time he has held the position after a stint as prime minister under former President Roh Moo-hyun in 2020. 2007-2008.
Mr. Han also has experience working with Korea’s important ally, the US, and was deeply involved in the process of signing the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement.
Mr. Han’s leadership role is expected to last for many months until the Korean Constitutional Court decides whether to dismiss Mr. Yoon or restore him to power. If Mr. Yoon is dismissed, a presidential election must be held after 60 days, until then Mr. Han will remain in leadership position.
However, Mr. Han faces the challenging task of maintaining government operations during the most serious political crisis in the past four decades, while also having to deal with a nuclear-armed neighbor. The cause is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the domestic economy is slowing down.
Mr. Han’s term as acting president may also be threatened by criminal investigations into his role in Mr. Yoon’s decision to declare martial law on December 3.
The main opposition Democratic Party filed a complaint against Mr. Han to have him placed under investigation for failing to block Mr. Yoon’s attempt to declare martial law.
If parliament decides to impeach Mr. Han, the finance minister will be the next among the cabinet members to hold the acting presidency, according to Reuters.
The Korean Constitution does not clearly state how much authority the prime minister is given in exercising his leadership role. Most scholars believe that the prime minister must exercise powers limited to preventing paralysis of state affairs and no more, while some argue that Han can exercise all presidential powers because the constitution does not impose any limitations.
