Acting President and Prime Minister Han Deok-soo appears to be on the verge of announcing his candidacy for the presidential election. According to the Prime Minister’s Office on April 28, Son Young-taek, the chief of staff to the prime minister and one of Han’s closest aides, has submitted his resignation. While a spokesperson from the Prime Minister’s Office stated that it was “a submission based on personal choice,” the resignation of Son, a key advisor to Han, has intensified speculation that Han’s presidential bid is imminent. It is expected that a series of resignations from Han’s staff will follow, as they prepare to assist in his presidential campaign.
If Han decides to run, he is expected to announce his candidacy as early as the end of this month or by early next month at the latest. This timeline is influenced by the ruling People Power Party’s third round of primaries on April 29, which will determine the two finalists, and the party’s final presidential candidate selection on May 3. The deadline for public officials to resign in order to run for president is May 4.
Even if Han resigns, he is not expected to immediately join the People Power Party. Instead, he is likely to register as an independent preliminary presidential candidate with the National Election Commission. Many believe that starting as an independent would allow him to distance himself from former President Yoon Seok Yeol’s martial law declaration and impeachment, and expand his support base. It is reported that former economic officials and elders who support Han are pushing for his nomination as an independent people’s candidate.
Political analysts predict that if Han decides to run, he will aim to build a “big tent” that encompasses not only the People Power Party but also Reform New Party candidate Lee Jun-seok and former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon of the New Future Democratic Party. There is speculation in political circles that Han, a Harvard University alumnus, might seek a “Harvard alliance” with fellow alumnus Lee Jun-seok. Some in the political arena suggest that an alliance between 76-year-old Prime Minister Han from the Jeolla region and 40-year-old Congressman Lee from Daegu and North Gyeongsang could have the effect of bridging generational and regional divides.
All presidential primary candidates from the People Power Party have expressed their support for a potential candidacy unification with Acting President Han. This is due to growing demands for unification among party members and supporters, as reflected in recent opinion polls.
However, Lee Jun-seok, the Reform New Party candidate, has taken a reserved stance, stating, “It’s unclear what schedule, goals, and methods the unification model or big tent model promoted by some in the People Power Party intends to use to impress the public.” He added, “The public may perceive the call for unification as underestimating the voters.”
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