Han Duck-soo, the acting Prime Minister known as the owner of the neologism "a foolish question, a wise answer" announced on the 1st that he would resign from the position of Prime Minister. The role of acting president will pass to Vice Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is next in the protocol order, based on midnight on the 2nd, when Han is dismissed.
On this day, while stepping down from the position of Prime Minister, Han Duck-soo effectively declared his candidacy for the June 3rd presidential election, being classified as an elite bureaucrat with expertise in the economy and trade.
Born in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, in 1949, he graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in economics and began his public service in 1970 after passing the 8th national administrative examination.
In 1979, he served as an officer in charge of the Economic Cooperation Section of the Economic Planning Board and as the director of the Department of Trade and Commerce in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy. After serving as the director of the Department of Trade and Commerce, he went to the United States for training and pursued both a master's and doctoral degree in economics at Harvard University. He was promoted to director in 1990 and assigned as the Director of the Industrial Policy Bureau in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy. He then served as the economic secretary to the President, head of the Trade and Industry Division, Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy under the Kim Young-sam administration in April 1993.
He was appointed as the first head of the Trade Negotiation Office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade during the Kim Dae-jung administration. He then served as the ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and as the chief of policy planning and economic affairs at the Blue House.
During the Roh Moo-hyun administration, his role continued. After serving as the Director of the Government Coordination Office, he took on the role of Minister of Economy and Finance, followed by being appointed as the Prime Minister, known as "the one who is by oneself but above all others."
He worked as the South Korean ambassador to the United States for three years during the Lee Myung-bak administration. In the Park Geun-hye administration, he served as the president of the Korea International Trade Association.
◇ Returning as the first Prime Minister of the Yoon administration... from 'acting' to 'grand award'
He was reappointed as Prime Minister after the Yoon Suk-yeol administration took office. As a figure from the Honam region, there were many expectations that he would maintain a good relationship with the then-opposition, having held key positions during the Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun administrations.
After the martial law situation on Dec. 3, when Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached, he served in the position of acting president. Subsequently, due to a controversy over the refusal to appoint a constitutional judge at the end of last year, the Democratic Party of Korea led the impeachment motion against him, resulting in his suspension from duty.
On March 24, the Constitutional Court ruled that "the impeachment requirements do not apply" and made a dismissal decision, allowing him to return to duty. After his return, he urged political change during a public address, stating, "A society divided to extremes only leads to unhappiness, and no one's dreams can be realized," adding, "Both the ruling and opposition parties as well as the government must really change. I will be the first to do so."
Since then, Han Duck-soo has had a phone conversation with President Donald Trump, paving the way for trade negotiations between the two countries. Following this, Han noted regarding the negotiations with the U.S., "If necessary, I will strive to find solutions through direct communication with President Donald Trump," subtly hinting at the strong relationship between the two leaders.
At this point, the "Han Duck-soo grand award" began to take shape. It was also the first time Han's name appeared in the Korea Gallup's regular public opinion survey on politicians' approval ratings, released on the 11th of last month. In a survey conducted by Korea Gallup from the 8th to the 10th, involving 1,005 voters aged 18 and older across the country through mobile phone interviews, Han received a support rate of 2%. His initially low support rate started to rise vertically along with the grand award theory.
In a public opinion survey conducted from the 28th to the 30th of last month by Embrain, Kestat Research, Korea Research, and Hankook Research, which involved 1,000 people via telephone interviews and announced on the 1st, Han's support rate stood at 13%, placing him at the forefront among candidates from the conservative camp. Specifically, among supporters of the People Power Party, 32% indicated that Han would be suitable as the next president, followed by potential candidates Han Dong-hoon (21%) and Kim Moon-soo (15%). (Refer to the Central Election Polling Review Committee website)
The clash with the opposition over the appointment of constitutional judges also became an opportunity to form a support base for Han Duck-soo within the conservative camp. Han appointed Lee Wan-kyu, the head of the Legislation Division, and Ham Sang-hoon, a chief judge at the Seoul High Court, as successors to the two retiring constitutional judges. However, the Democratic Party of Korea protested, and the Constitutional Court's issuance of a "provisional suspension order" invalidated this.
Subsequently, the Democratic Party of Korea passed a bill in the National Assembly restricting the acting president's appointment of constitutional judges. Han Duck-soo exercised his veto power against this bill at the Cabinet meeting held on the 29th of last month, stating that it "contravenes the separation of powers."
◇ Nicknamed 'the impregnable Prime Minister'... praised for leading by example
During his tenure as Prime Minister in the Yoon administration, Han earned the nickname 'the impregnable Prime Minister.' This was due to his ability not to be overwhelmed in debates with the opposition during question sessions in the National Assembly. He especially excelled in dealing with various economic indicators and showcased an overwhelming performance in the competition over 'facts'.
During a question-and-answer session with the government on Sept. 10, 2024, when Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers jeered, saying he resembled the Japanese Prime Minister, he firmly reproached them, stating, "Do not insult. The power of politics that moves the people does not lie in insults and diminishment."
After youths from various countries faced discomfort at the Jamboree site in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province due to insufficient preparation, he personally went to the site, cleaning the restrooms and demonstrating a leading by example attitude.
Having started public service in 1970 with a per capita income of $254, Han Duck-soo rose to Prime Minister and served as acting president. He is a figure who witnessed South Korea achieve the "Miracle on the Han River" from the forefront of public service.
It remains uncertain whether Han Duck-soo's experience and record will shine in the June 3rd presidential election.
☞Han Duck-soo
▲Born in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province in 1949 ▲Graduated from Kyunggi High School in 1967 and enrolled at Seoul National University ▲Passed the 8th national administrative examination in 1970 ▲Graduated at the top of his class from the College of Business Administration at Seoul National University in 1971 ▲Served in the Army from 1971 to 1974 (discharged after completing service) ▲Section Chief of the Policy Coordination Division at the Economic Planning Board ▲Director of the Department of Trade and Commerce in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy ▲Director of the Department of Trade and Commerce in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy ▲Director of the Industrial Policy Bureau in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy ▲Director of the Trade and Industry Division of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy ▲Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office ▲Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy ▲First Head of the Trade Negotiation Office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade ▲Chief of Policy Planning and Economic Affairs at the Blue House ▲Director of the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade ▲Director of the Government Coordination Office ▲Minister of Economy and Finance ▲Prime Minister ▲Ambassador to the United States ▲President of the Korea International Trade Association ▲Prime Minister (acting president)