South Korea s acting leader Han set to resign before presidential run Yonhap says

SEOUL – South Korean Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo resigned on May 1, citing his need “to take on bigger responsibility”, amid expectations that he will soon announce his intention to run in the presidential election on June 3.

“Respected citizens, I stand here to deliver my decision on an issue that I’ve been deeply deliberating. I have decided to step down from my roles as acting president and prime minister,” Mr Han said in a televised public speech aired in the afternoon.

Though he did not directly say that he plans to declare his presidential candidacy, he said that he has decided “to take on a bigger responsibility by stepping down” from his current roles.

The responsibility involves helping South Korea overcome the security and economic risks the export-reliant economy now faces, including the shift in the global trade order, according to Mr Han.

On his last day in office on May 1, he presided over a ministerial-level meeting on national security issues in the morning.

At the meeting, he highlighted the importance of maintaining strong national security to high-ranking security officials, including National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik and Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, while expressing concerns about risks stemming from North Korea’s advancing ties with Russia.

Signs of Mr Han gearing up to declare a bid for the presidency have been reported in recent days, backed by reports of officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the presidential office joining what would be his election campaign.

Mr Son Young-taek, Mr Han’s former chief aide and secretary, were among the officials, reports said.

Mr Han’s team has reportedly set up a campaign office in Yeouido, western Seoul.

Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok, who was the country’s acting president and acting prime minister from Dec 27 to