South Korea’s former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced he will run in the country’s upcoming presidential election, aiming to reduce the power of the office and ease domestic politics. The move heats up the competition among conservatives, who are scrambling to unify behind a candidate to challenge liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung.
Han, who was appointed prime minister by conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol after Yoon’s ouster, will now seek the presidency on June 3. His campaign focuses on amending the constitution to share power between the president and the assembly, a principle of checks and balances. He also plans to ease trade issues with the US.
The election marks an early presidency for South Korea, as President Yoon was ousted over his imposition of martial law. Han has no party affiliation but is backed by the People Power Party, which is struggling after Yoon’s ouster. The party will nominate its candidate on Saturday.
Lee Jae-myung’s Democratic Party has criticized Han, saying he lacks moral standing to run for president as a former Yoon administration official. Han will serve a three-year term if elected, aiming to complete the constitutional revision and then leave office.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/south-koreas-prime-minister-han-seek-presidency-june-121384951