Acting President of South Korea Han Duck Soo is expected to resign on the afternoon of May 1, in preparation for his official presidential bid in the election taking place on June 3, according to Yonhap news agency.
After resigning, Mr. Han is expected to speak nationwide and officially announce the election decision on May 2.
This resignation paves the way for Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok to take on the role of acting President under the provisions of Korean law.
Mr. Han Duck Soo, 75, who served as Prime Minister and was promoted to the position of acting President after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was deposed for declaring martial law for a short time. Mr. Han's temporary tenure as senior leader has helped him significantly enhance his public image.
Recently, public opinion in Korea has begun to speculate that Mr. Han will run for President, especially as polls show that support for this veteran politician is on the rise. With a lot of experience and a stable image, he is considered a potential candidate in the upcoming race.
The Prime Minister's office has not yet made any official comments regarding Mr. Han's resignation and campaign. However, according to sources from the government and former ruling party official cited by Yonhap, Mr. Han's steps appear to have been carefully prepared, with the aim of gaining widespread support from South Korean voters.
Mr. Han's official participation in the election will be an important turning point in the context of many fluctuations in South Korea's politics after the previous President was forced to leave office.
