'Presidential Bid' Han Ducksoo: "Will Cooperate on Unification with Anyone Supporting Constitutional Amendment"

Officially Announces Presidential Bid at National Assembly
General and Presidential Elections to Be Held Under New Constitution
Will Step Down in Third Year as President
Unification Efforts Begin, but Many Challenges Remain

Former Acting President and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo has officially declared his candidacy for the presidential election, promising to hold both the general and presidential elections under a new constitution in the third year of his presidency and then step down. Han stated, "I will cooperate with anyone who supports constitutional amendment, and if necessary, I will pursue integration as well." He also identified resolving Korea-US trade issues and national unity as his core tasks. In particular, he extended an offer of unity to the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, pledging to include his presidential rivals in a coalition cabinet. However, the tight election schedule and the renewed judicial risks facing Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, are expected to complicate discussions on unification.

On May 2, Han held a press conference at the National Assembly communication office, declaring, "I will do my utmost to earn the support of the people in this presidential election." His key pledges included immediate constitutional amendment, resolving trade issues, and achieving national unity and support for the underprivileged. He pledged to establish a "Presidential Commission for Constitutional Amendment" on his first day in office to prepare a constitutional amendment bill within his first year.

His plan is to complete the constitutional amendment in the second year and, in the third year, hold both the general and presidential elections under the new constitution before stepping down. Han promised, "As someone who has dedicated my career to public service, I will swiftly amend the constitution and lay our constitutional order on a new foundation."

Former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo is declaring his candidacy for the 21st presidential election at the National Assembly communication office on May 2, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

As an expert in economics and trade, Han also emphasized resolving trade issues. He explained that he would quickly address trade challenges based on a strong Korea-US alliance. Finally, he highlighted national unity and support for the underprivileged as core priorities.

Han also unveiled his "big tent" strategy, including potential unification with other candidates. He said, "I will personally reach out to those who offer critical opinions and to my competitors in the presidential race, inviting each of them to join a national coalition cabinet. If there are good policy proposals from political circles, including the Democratic Party leader, or from the public, I will accept them without preconceptions and implement them efficiently."

With his candidacy declaration, efforts to form a "big tent" are expected to accelerate. For the time being, Han is likely to remain independent and continue communicating with Lee Nakyon, senior advisor to the New Future Democratic Party, and Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party’s presidential candidate. After the People Power Party’s presidential candidate is confirmed on May 3, there is a high possibility that Han will pursue unification efforts. He is expected to join the People Power Party and begin his campaign in earnest afterward.

The party has set the golden window for unification as early as May 6, and at the latest by May 11. The ideal scenario is to finalize unification before noon on May 7, the deadline for ordering election materials. Even if this deadline is missed, unification must be completed by May 11, the candidate registration deadline, to secure ballot slot number two. Given that the People Power Party’s presidential candidate will be decided on May 3, there are about four to seven days left for unification efforts.

There are significant hurdles to overcome. Former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo, who advanced to the final primary, is proactive about unification, but former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon remains reserved. Even if Kim becomes the presidential candidate, there may be conflicts over the unification process. In a phone interview, Um Taeyoung, head of organization for the Kim Moonsoo campaign and a People Power Party lawmaker, said, "As long as Lee does not withdraw, unification efforts will continue," adding, "If the party sets the rules, we will proceed accordingly."

There is also analysis that the momentum for unification has weakened after the Supreme Court, on May 1, remanded Lee’s violation of the Public Official Election Act for a guilty verdict. Jung Yeonwook, head of strategic messaging for the Han Donghoon campaign and a People Power Party lawmaker, said in a phone interview, "Since Lee’s judicial risks have increased again, the argument for strengthening our own position will gain traction, which could sap momentum for unification."

Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 2, after Han expressed his intention to resign the previous day, the ministry distributed a diplomatic note to embassies stating that "from midnight on May 2, Choi Sangmok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy and Finance, would serve as acting president," but later that night, the note was withdrawn. This was because Choi, who was to become acting president, suddenly resigned after 10 p.m. the previous night, rendering the information incorrect.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the note was a physical letter distributed to mailboxes of foreign embassies in Korea after 7 p.m., which was after working hours, and was retrieved the same night, making it unlikely that the incorrect information was delivered.

To prevent confusion, the ministry issued a separate notice via another channel at midnight on May 2, designating Lee Juhyo, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, as acting president. The same diplomatic note is scheduled to be redistributed in the morning. In addition, the Korean government reportedly sent an official document to overseas missions instructing them to maintain discipline under the new acting president, manage relations with host countries, and prepare thoroughly for overseas elections.