There is speculation that Acting President and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo will resign from public office on the afternoon of May 1 in order to run for president. If Han steps down, Choi Sangmok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy and Finance, will once again assume the role of acting president.
According to government and political sources on April 30, Han is expected to carry out his duties as acting president until the morning of May 1. He is then likely to resign in the afternoon and announce his candidacy on the morning of May 2.
In his announcement, Han is expected to emphasize "national unity." To this end, his declaration may include proposals such as constitutional amendment to shorten the next presidential term and the formation of a national unity cabinet.
Related sources say that Han's associates have already set up an office in Yeouido to serve as his presidential campaign headquarters. This location was previously used by Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, who withdrew from the presidential race and transferred it to People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyungwon. After Na was eliminated in the primary, Han is expected to use the same site as his campaign headquarters.
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