Handuksoo "If Appointed, I Will Do Well"... Economic and Diplomatic Expert Moving Between Conservative and Progressive Views

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] As President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol enters the final stage of deliberation for the first Prime Minister and cabinet appointments of the new administration, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is considered a leading candidate for the inaugural Prime Minister, has reportedly stated, "If appointed, I will do my best."

According to an SBS report on the 2nd, former Prime Minister Han told SBS reporters, "If appointed, I will do my best." SBS also reported that the vehicle provided by Kim & Chang law firm, where Han previously worked as an advisor, was returned the day before.

According to the transition committee on the 2nd, it is known that internally the decision is leaning toward nominating former Prime Minister Han as the first Prime Minister candidate. However, the team of President-elect Yoon denied reports on the 1st that Han had been confirmed as the new administration's first Prime Minister candidate. The spokesperson office of the President-elect stated in a media notice, "Reports of the new Prime Minister candidate being confirmed continue," adding, "No appointment has been made yet. We inform you that careful review is ongoing."

Former Prime Minister Han, who hails from Jeonju, Jeonbuk, is regarded as an economic and diplomatic expert who has led the domestic economy across both progressive and conservative governments, from the Kim Young-sam administration to the Lee Myung-bak administration. He served as Vice Minister of Commerce and Industry under the Kim Young-sam government, was Ambassador to the OECD representing South Korea and Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs in the Kim Dae-jung administration, chaired the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Support Committee in 2007 during the Roh Moo-hyun government, and served as Prime Minister. Under the conservative Lee Myung-bak government, he served as Ambassador to the United States and was President of the Korea International Trade Association from 2012 to 2015.

Some reports suggest that President-elect Yoon plans to officially announce the Prime Minister candidate nomination after attending the 74th Jeju 4·3 Victims Memorial Ceremony on the 3rd and returning to Seoul. Following this, President-elect Yoon is expected to nominate ministerial candidates for each department based on the Prime Minister candidate's recommendations.