[Market Focus] Han Ducksoo-Related Stocks Surge on Imminent Presidential Bid Reports

On April 28, stocks related to Han Ducksoo, including Icecream Edu, showed strong performance in the domestic stock market amid reports that Acting President and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo is expected to soon announce his candidacy for the June presidential election.

As of 2:05 p.m. on the same day, shares of Icecream Edu were trading at 5,830 won per share, up 27.57% from the previous session. Icecream Edu is a representative Han Ducksoo-themed stock and is a subsidiary of Sigong Tech, which has also surged this month.

On the same day, Sigong Tech was also trading up 9.66% at 9,310 won. Sigong Tech has been classified as a Han Ducksoo-themed stock after it became known that its largest shareholder, Chairman Park Kisuk, served as a private member of the Presidential National Economic Advisory Council in 2008 alongside Han when he was Prime Minister.

This trend is interpreted as a result of a series of media reports suggesting that Han may step down from his current position this week and announce his presidential bid. The resignation submitted on the same day by Sohn Youngtaek, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and known as one of Han's closest aides, is also fueling this speculation. In order for Han, who is currently serving as Prime Minister, to run in the 21st presidential election, he must decide on his position at least 30 days before the election date, in accordance with the Public Official Election Act.