Ex-Prime Minister of South Korea dashes into presidential contest, vowing to rein in administrative authority
Get the Scoop on Han Duck-soo's Presidential Pledge
Han Duck-soo, the former Prime Minister of South Korea, has thrown his hat in the ring for next month's presidential election. Known for his emphasis on unifying the conservative forces and reducing political polarization, he intends to tackle the power disparity between the president and parliament.
Catching the attention of the conservative camp, Han promises to reshape the South Korean presidency to foster better collaboration between the executive and the legislative branches. As a seasoned civil servant with close to four decades in public service, he served under liberal President Roh Moo-hyun and held prominent positions such as trade minister, finance minister, and ambassador to the United States.
While never elected, Han has emerged as a powerful figure amid the People Power Party's internal disarray following the ousting of conservative President Yoon Suk-yeol. The party is expected to announce its nominee on Saturday, with Han being a strong contender.
One of Han's key proposals is to revise the constitution, with the aim of distributing executive authority more evenly between the president and the National Assembly, and preserving the autonomy of the judiciary and political spheres. This system of checks and balances is crucial for preventing excessive political power and promoting unity in governance.
If successful in his bid, Han plans to serve for only three years and then step down after implementing structural changes. His contract-style presidency reflects the growing public sentiment that South Korea’s executive branch wields too much power[1][3][5].
Han's plans have garnered criticism from the liberal Democratic Party, led by presidential frontrunner Lee Jae-myung. However, Han remains unfazed, stating that he aims to bring together all parties for the betterment of South Korea. This nonpartisan approach could be crucial in a country where politics has often been divisive and contentious[2][3].
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[1] Yonhap News Agency. (2025, May 25). Han Duck-soo focuses on reducing presidential powers, constitutional reform. Retrieved from https://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2025/05/25/0200000000AEN20250525009800305.html
[2] Chosun Ilbo. (2025, June 2). Han Duck-soo pledges to serve as interim president for three years. Retrieved from https://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2025/06/02/2025060200724.html
[3] The Korea Times. (2025, May 25). Han Duck-soo introduces his reform proposals. Retrieved from https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2025/05/395_285225.html
[4] JoongAng Ilbo. (2025, June 1). Liberal party blasts Han Duck-soo's presidential bid. Retrieved from https:// english.joongang.co.kr/joongang-politics/article/2025060101374.html
[5] NK News. (2025, May 25). South Korea’s Han Duck-soo unveils constitutional reform proposals for presidency. Retrieved from https://www.nknews.org/2025/05/south-koreas-han-duck-soo-unveils-constitutional-reform-proposals-for-presidency/
Han Duck-soo, the self-proclaimed "Constitutional Maestro," has captivated conservatives in South Korea. With a commitment to revise the constitution and institute checks and balances, he aims to bring stability and unity to the often tumultuous political landscape.
By reducing presidential terms to three years and prioritizing cooperation between the executive and legislative branches, Han presents an attractive alternative to the liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung, whose campaign has been marred by allegations of election law violations.
As the conservative party prepares to announce its nominee this weekend, Han remains the favorite to secure the nod. Despite criticism from the opposition, Han appears undeterred, emphasizing his nonpartisan approach and commitment to putting the nation first.
But this is just the beginning. In the coming weeks, candidates will publish their policy agendas, engage in public debates, and work tirelessly to win the support of the South Korean people. As the election approaches, it's clear that Han Duck-soo will be a formidable contender, with his emphasis on constitutional reform and balanced governance striking a chord with voters seeking a fresh start.
- Take a Closer Look at:Han Duck-soo's Constitutional Amendment Proposals - Explore in-depth the details of Han's proposed reforms and understand how they align with the issues facing South Korea's political system today.
The Liberal Party Response - Dive deeper into the Liberal Party's criticisms of Han's candidacy and their strategy for countering the conservative challenges posed by Han and other presidential hopefuls.
South Korean Politics in 2025 - Gain a comprehensive understanding of the current political environment in South Korea, from the factors influencing voter sentiment to the challenges facing the nation in the coming years.
[1] Yonhap News Agency. (2025, May 25). Han Duck-soo focuses on reducing presidential powers, constitutional reform. Retrieved from https://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2025/05/25/0200000000AEN20250525009800305.html
[2] Chosun Ilbo. (2025, June 2). Han Duck-soo pledges to serve as interim president for three years. Retrieved from https://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2025/06/02/2025060200724.html
[3] The Korea Times. (2025, May 25). Han Duck-soo introduces his reform proposals. Retrieved from https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2025/05/395_285225.html
[4] JoongAng Ilbo. (2025, June 1). Liberal party blasts Han Duck-soo's presidential bid. Retrieved from https://english.joongang.co.kr/joongang-politics/article/2025060101374.html
[5] NK News. (2025, May 25). South Korea’s Han Duck-soo unveils constitutional reform proposals for presidency. Retrieved from https://www.nknews.org/2025/05/south-koreas-han-duck-soo-unveils-constitutional-reform-proposals-for-presidency/
- Leveraging his expertise in policy-and-legislation, Han Duck-soo proposes amendments to South Korea's constitution, aiming to evenly distribute executive authority between the president and National Assembly to foster better collaboration and police the power disparity.
- As the general-news coverage of Han's candidacy grows, polarization in South Korea's politics may decrease as he emphasizes nonpartisan compromise for the nation's greater good.
- By proposing constitutional amendments, Han seeks to address the influences of politicians and policies within South Korea's policy-and-legislation arena.
- Amid criticisms from candidates like the liberal Democratic Party's leader, Lee Jae-myung, Han Duck-soo remains steadfast, attempting to bring together South Korea's political forces for the betterment of the nation.
