On Saturday, December 14, MPs decided to impeach Yoon Suk Yeol, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo became South Korea's acting president.
Despite the nation's worst political crisis in forty years, Han, a seasoned career technocrat with a solid reputation, will have to continue to run the administration.
Who is Han Duck-Soo?
South Korea's current acting president, Han Duck-soo, has a distinguished professional background. He has served for over thirty years under five different presidents, both liberal and conservative, according to the Reuters news agency.
Han is known for his logical thinking. He holds a doctorate in economics from Harvard and is experienced in trade and diplomacy.
Han Duck-Soo Career
Han has held a number of high-profile positions, such as those of prime minister, ambassador to the United States, ambassador to the OECD, presidential secretary for policy coordination, finance minister, trade minister, and chairman of several think tanks and organizations.
In 2022, Yoon named him the nation's prime minister.
After serving as prime minister under then-President Roh Moo-hyun in 2007–2008, this was his second stint in the position.
What Happens Now?
It is anticipated that Han Duck-soo would continue in his position for several months until Yoon's fate is decided by the South Korean Constitutional Court.
In the event that the court votes to remove Yoon, Han will remain in power until the next president is elected, and a presidential election must be place within 60 days.
However, Han has been the target of a complaint from the Democratic Party, the country's biggest opposition party. His failure to stop Yoon's attempt to impose martial law has led them to want him to be part of the investigations.
If Han Duck-Soo is impeached, the country's finance minister will be next in line to serve as acting president.
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