South Korea’s acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo confirmed June 3 as the date for the early presidential election during a Cabinet meeting on April 8, instructing ministers to ensure thorough preparations. “We have just over two months left for the sake of the nation and the people,” he said, signaling his intent to lead a caretaker government until a new president is elected. Despite this, calls within the People Power Party continued on April 10 for Han to run. He reportedly told aides he would remain focused on state affairs, but growing speculation suggests he is seriously considering a bid.
PPP officials from the southwestern Honam region held a press conference at the National Assembly, urging Han to run in the 21st presidential election. They called him the only candidate with the economic and national security expertise needed to guide the country through global trade tensions. Within the party, pro-Yoon lawmakers are working to build support for his candidacy. One PPP lawmaker from the southeastern Yeongnam region said that about 30 of the party’s 108 lawmakers have expressed support, with some reportedly meeting Han in person to urge him to enter the race.
Ahead of the PPP’s nomination registration on April 14–15, more candidates are stepping forward to announce their bids. The growing push for Han Duck-soo’s candidacy reflects a sense of urgency within the party to block what some call the rise of a “Lee Jae-myung government.” Many in the PPP fear the current field may not be strong enough to secure victory. Han’s credentials as an expert in economics, trade, and diplomacy have gained added weight amid escalating tariff tensions with the United States. Some also view his Jeonju roots in the traditionally liberal Honam region as a political asset.
A National Barometer Survey (NBS) released that day showed 56% of respondents believe Han would perform well in managing state affairs, while 37% said otherwise—further fueling calls for his candidacy. PPP lawmaker Park Soo-young shared the results on Facebook, writing, “The defining issue of this early election is the economy. Han, a lifelong economic bureaucrat who also served as Trade Minister and Ambassador to the U.S., is the ideal candidate.”
Han has reportedly told those close to him, “I’m not qualified to run.” But a senior figure familiar with him said Han views this early election as a potential turning point for the country, after more than 50 years in public service dedicated to South Korea’s growth and the free market. “Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t consider it,” the source said. “But today’s political climate seems to be making him think twice.”
Even if Han decides to run, several obstacles remain. Political insiders say it would be difficult for him to step down as acting president simply to enter the race while the presidency remains vacant. One senior PPP lawmaker said the growing calls within the Democratic Party to impeach Han have yet to materialize, likely due to this political calculation. Still, DP lawmaker Jeong Seong-ho said, “At this point, we have no choice but to impeach him,” fueling speculation that an impeachment motion followed by resignation remains a possibility.
