South Korea’s acting president Han Duck-soo resigned on Thursday, Korean media reported on Thursday.
“Considering the responsibility that rests on me at this difficult time, I have long and carefully evaluated the situation and have come to the conclusion that this is the right and inevitable decision, that it is the only choice, and that I must make it. I have decided to step down in order to do what I can, what I must, to bring us out of the crisis we are currently facing,” he said in a statement to the nation, as quoted by the media.
At the same time, according to Korean media reports, Han Duck-soo’s decision to resign was made in connection with his intention to run in the presidential elections scheduled for June 3. It is possible that he will announce this as early as Friday.
Following the resignation of the acting president, the office of head of state will be transferred to the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, Finance Minister Choe Sang-mok, in accordance with South Korean law.
Choe Sang-mok previously served as acting president from December to March, when Han temporarily left office due to impeachment proceedings that were subsequently rejected by the Constitutional Court. Choe will become the third-highest-ranking official in the government hierarchy, responsible for maintaining stability during the five weeks remaining before the election.
Han Duck-soo became acting president after lawmakers impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
