"What I Couldn't Do as Prime Minister, I'll Achieve with Presidential Power"... Han Duck-soo Announces Candidacy

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo Announces Candidacy for the 21st Presidential Election

Highlighting 'Economic and Trade Expert'... Promises '3-Year Term' Constitutional Amendment

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced his candidacy for the 21st presidential election, held due to the impeachment of former President Yoon Seok-youl, on the 2nd. Han, who is considered the right person to unfold the 'Anti-Lee Jae-myung Conservative Big Tent', is expected to undergo a final unification process with the presidential candidate elected through the People's Power primary.

Han declared his candidacy at the National Assembly Communication Hall at 10 a.m. that day. He stated, "The world is currently experiencing rapid changes in trade order and international order is in turmoil. It is a period of great transformation where no country can predict the future," adding, "In addition, our country is in great domestic turmoil. Conflicts and divisions are shaking the foundation of our community."

As a former economic bureaucrat, Han emphasized his image as an 'economic expert', saying, "I have lived my life at the forefront of economic development as a proud servant of the Korean people," and "For the future of the Republic of Korea that I love, for all of us, I have decided to find what I can do. I will do my utmost to be chosen by our people in this presidential election."

At this event, Han pledged three main promises: △'Immediate Constitutional Amendment' △Trade Resolution △National Unity. First, regarding 'Immediate Constitutional Amendment', Han said, "I will create a presidential support organization for constitutional amendment on the first day of my term and devote all efforts to the success of the amendment," and "I will prepare a constitutional amendment in the first year of my term, complete it in the second year, and conduct general and presidential elections under the new constitution in the third year, then immediately step down." Like candidate Han Dong-hoon, he promised a '3-year term president'.

Han, a Harvard University graduate, said for 'Trade Resolution', "I was the first head of the Trade Negotiation Headquarters in our country. I have successfully led numerous trade negotiations as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Prime Minister, and Ambassador to the U.S.," adding, "I am the person who has done this the longest and can do it the best. I am actively communicating with the U.S. government and experts from various fields. I will definitely resolve the current trade issues."

For 'National Unity', he said, "Integration is coexistence. It is lamentable that the North and South are divided, but should we continue to be divided into left and right, east and west, now into men and women, middle-aged and young?" adding, "I will find those who can best create good jobs, comfortable housing, convenient transportation, quality healthcare, meticulous childcare support, and robust old-age security, and form the best cabinet, a working cabinet, and encourage them to achieve substantial results."

Finally, Han said, "The new government is not the 'Han Duck-soo government'. Instead of being divided into left and right, it is the government of all those who want to move forward, only forward, 'your government'," adding, "What I couldn't do as Prime Minister, I will definitely achieve with the power of the presidency. My only ideology is that the miracle must not end here, we must continue to move forward. I will work and work again solely for the national interest and the welfare of the people."

Hong Min-sung, Hankyung.com reporter mshong@hankyung.com