South Korea’s acting leader Han resigns amid reports he will run for president
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo said Thursday he is resigning to take on “heavier responsibility” amid expectation he will run in next month’s presidential election.
Han has emerged as a potential conservative standard bearer, and South Korean media reported he will officially launch his presidential campaign Friday.
“I have two paths ahead of me. One is completing the heavy responsibility that I handle now. The other is putting down that responsibility and taking a heavier responsibility,” Han said. “I’ve finally determined to put down my post to do what I can and what I have to help overcome the crises facing us.”
Han was appointed prime minister, the country’s No. 2 post, by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose removal from office triggered the by-election to be held June 3.
The main conservative People Power Party remains in disarray over Yoon’s Dec. 3 imposition of martial law. Observers say Han is expected to align with the People Power Party to launch a unified conservative campaign against liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung.
Han, 75, is a career bureaucrat with about 40 years of public service and a Harvard doctorate in economics. He has held top posts under both conservative and liberal governments, including trade minister, finance minister and ambassador to the U.S. He’s served as prime minster twice, first under liberal President Roh Moo-hyun from 2007-2008 and later under Yoon.
Han’s supporters say his extensive government experience, especially on economic affairs, would make him a right leader who can deal with President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies and other economic problems. But his critics say Han — who has never had an elected post — has no strong political support base, is too old to become president and lacks a tough leadership to tackle contentious issues.
Lee, won the nomination of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party on Sunday and has been favored to win.
With Han’s resignation, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok becomes acting president until a new leader is elected on June 3.
She hoped key research could help save her eyesight. Then the Trump funding cuts came
Jessica Chaikof says research into gene therapies could someday save her eyesight. But she worries cuts to federal research funding could mean that therapy won't be ready in time.
6 new books out this week, including true stories of trailblazers
But for many working adults, the summer can often feel the same as the rest of the year. So, maybe our idea of a "summer read" should encompass a wider swath of books? Here are a few out this week.
RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz say health insurers will cut red tape on ‘prior authorizations’
In recent years, health insurers ramped up the practice of requiring doctors to get their approval before tests and procedures. On Monday, health leaders announced voluntary reforms from insurers.
TikTok bans #SkinnyTok. But content promoting unhealthy eating persists
The social media platform TikTok recently banned a hashtag called #SkinnyTok after European regulators warned it was promoting extreme weight loss. But eliminating this kind of content is not easy.
The Trump administration is making an unprecedented reach for data held by states
States hold troves of sensitive personal data that were previously never shared with the federal government or across federal agencies. The Trump administration is trying to change that.
Purple Heart Army veteran self-deports after nearly 50 years in the U.S.
Sae Joon Park left for South Korea on Monday. His removal order was the result of drug possession and bail jumping charges from over 15 years ago — offenses that, he said, stemmed from untreated PTSD.
