Han Duck-soo who born 18 June 1949 is a South Korean diplomat, economist, and politician who has served as acting president of South Korea since 14 December 2024 and the 48th prime minister of South Korea since May 2022.
Han is the fifth person to hold the prime minister‘s office twice, having previously served as prime minister under President Roh Moo-hyun from 2007 to 2008.
He also held office as ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2012 and as chairman of the Korea International Trade Association from 2012 to 2015.
Han Duck-soo‘s Early Life
Han was born on 18 June 1949 in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, as the fifth son of six sons and three daughters to Han Byeong-ho and Jeonju Choi. He served in the South Korean Army and was discharged as a sergeant.
Han graduated from Seoul National University with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1971. He received a master’s degree in economics in 1979 and a doctorate in economics in 1984 from Harvard University.
Han Duck-soo’s Work
Han started his political career at the National Tax Service in 1970 and joined the Economic Planning Board four years later. In 1982, he moved to what is now the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, where he eventually became Vice Minister.
On 9 March 2007, Han was nominated as prime minister by President Roh Moo-hyun following the resignation of Han Myeong-sook. His nomination was approved by the National Assembly on 2 April 2007. He left office on 29 February 2008 after Lee Myung-bak was inaugurated as president, being succeeded in the office by Han Seung-soo.
Han held teaching positions at Hongik University and Dankook University before President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol nominated him for prime minister in April 2022. During his confirmation hearings, Han claimed stabilizing the economy would be his top priority in office.
Han became the acting president of South Korea following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol on 14 December 2024.
When Han was being asked by police for questioning in its investigation of martial law, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung said that the party would not move to impeach Han for the time being to avoid “confusion in their state affairs”.