As the time approaches for the final decision of Han Duck-soo, Acting President and Prime Minister, regarding the June 3 presidential election, movements to draft him are becoming more organized from outside the political sphere. On April 21, Kim Chun-kyu, the standing committee chairman of the People’s Movement Headquarters to Draft Han Duck-soo, held a press conference in Seoul, recommending Han as a person to navigate the current challenges based on conservative ideology.
Kim highlighted Han’s past achievements, such as handling the IMF financial crisis and leading the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement negotiations, as reasons he believes Han is the right leader for the current crises. The Presidential Drafting Committee announced plans for a press conference on April 22 to urge Han’s candidacy, hinting that figures like former Democratic Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu would support the movement.
With the deadline for Han’s resignation to run in the presidential election just two weeks away, support is rallying around him from political elders and civil society organizations. Although Han has not commented on his intentions, a polling company representative suggested that he is evaluating public opinion and may decide after observing the People Power Party’s candidate selection process. Han is expected to enhance his public presence by actively participating in high-level trade discussions, such as the upcoming U.S.-Korea 2+2 trade talks.
Candidates from the People Power Party continue to keep an eye on Han’s moves. Hong Joon-pyo, a preliminary candidate for the party, questioned the motives of the committee backing Han, suggesting a possible political alliance with Lee Jae-myung, a Democratic Party candidate, given the committee’s composition.