Han Deok-su "I Will Fully Present My Final Defense"... Yongsan and Prime Minister's Office 'Stirred'

Some in the Ruling Party Call It a "Weighty Card"
Various Interpretations Emerge Regarding the Possibility

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is holding a Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News

"I will fulfill the final mission entrusted to me together with the State Council members."

On the 14th, at the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office, Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's remarks drew the attention of the political circles. Acting Prime Minister Han, referring to trade issues with the United States, stated, "We have now entered the time for full-scale negotiations with the U.S. government. We must do our utmost to protect national interests by fully mobilizing the response capabilities of both the government and the private sector."

In particular, Acting Prime Minister Han urged the State Council members, "Please respond and explain the related situations transparently and as they are, so that various distrusts and misunderstandings raised amid political uncertainties can be dispelled." This was a request directed at the State Council members participating in the National Assembly’s government questioning session that day, and the order to "dispel (political) misunderstandings" has led to various interpretations. Acting Prime Minister Han is surrounded by various suspicions related to the early presidential election on June 3rd, ranging from rumors of running in the People Power Party’s presidential primary to running as an independent and subsequent unification talks. He is the subject of political misunderstandings, such as questions about whether it is appropriate for a stadium manager to play as a player.

He did not express a clear opinion regarding the presidential candidacy issue, which intensified the controversy. Amid this, the remarks at the Cabinet meeting were made. Some interpret Acting Prime Minister Han’s remarks as drawing a line against demands from some within the People Power Party for him to run in the presidential election.

The Presidential Office and the Prime Minister’s Office are closely monitoring Acting Prime Minister Han’s movements. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, after presiding over the Cabinet meeting that morning, Acting Prime Minister Han has a tight schedule over the next two weeks, including responding to U.S. tariff negotiations. A Prime Minister’s Office official said, "Acting Prime Minister Han has not expressed any position regarding running for president to those around him," adding, "He is doing his best to devise a strategy for trade negotiations with the U.S., including receiving reports on his visit to the U.S. from Trade Negotiations Director General Jeong In-kyo."

The so-called Han Duck-soo presidential prospect theory is not unrelated to the People Power Party’s situation, where a counterattack card is inevitable amid the continued dominance of former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. A close aide to Acting Prime Minister Han, who anticipated his non-candidacy, interpreted that in the current situation where tariff negotiations with the U.S. are the top priority, it is necessary for trade expert Acting Prime Minister Han to use the title of "next presidential candidate" to have weight at the negotiation table with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Regarding the so-called independent candidacy rumors, a ruling party official said, "It would not be easy for Acting Prime Minister Han, who is from Honam, to embrace the conservative base," and predicted, "The likelihood of this becoming a reality is low."