Prime minister Han Duck-soo, who grew to become South Korea’s performing president after Saturday’s impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol, is a profession technocrat whose wide-ranging expertise and popularity for rationality might serve him nicely in his newest function.
With parliament’s impeachment vote in opposition to Yoon handed after his short-lived try to impose martial legislation, Yoon is suspended from exercising presidential powers, and the structure requires the prime minister to take over in an performing function.
In a rustic sharply divided by partisan rhetoric, Han has been a uncommon official whose assorted profession transcended occasion traces.
He faces a difficult activity of preserving authorities functioning by way of its gravest political disaster in 4 a long time, whereas additionally coping with threats from nuclear-armed neighbour North Korea and a slowing economic system at house.
His tenure as performing president may be threatened by prison investigations into his function within the martial legislation choice.
Han, 75, has served in management positions for greater than three a long time beneath 5 totally different presidents, each conservative and liberal.
His roles have included ambassador to the USA, finance minister, commerce minister, presidential secretary for coverage coordination, prime minister, ambassador to the OECD, and head of varied thinktanks and organisations.
With a Harvard doctorate in economics, Han’s experience within the economic system, commerce and diplomacy in addition to a popularity for rationality, reasonable manner and exhausting work has made him a daily go-to man in South Korean politics.
Han has been prime minister since Yoon’s time period started in 2022, his second time serving within the function after a stint as prime minister beneath then president Roh Moo-hyun in 2007-2008.
“He has served in key posts in state affairs solely by way of recognition of his abilities and experience, unrelated to political factions,” Yoon mentioned when appointing Han in 2022, echoing phrases used to explain him when earlier administrations tapped him for key positions.
“I believe Han is the precise candidate to hold out nationwide affairs whereas overseeing and coordinating the cupboard, with a wealth of expertise that encompasses private and non-private sectors.”
Han has expertise working with South Korea’s key ally the US, having been deeply concerned within the strategy of signing the US-South Korea Free Commerce Settlement.
Fluent in English, he was appointed South Korea’s ambassador to the US in 2009, working in Washington at a time when Joe Biden was vice-president, and contributed to Congress approving the Free Commerce Settlement in 2011.
Han has additionally served as board member of S-Oil, a South Korean refining unit of Saudi Aramco.
“He’s a civil servant by way of and thru who didn’t tackle a political color regardless of working beneath [five presidents],” mentioned a former high-ranking authorities official who declined to be recognized.
Han’s function in management is predicted to final for months till the constitutional courtroom decides whether or not to take away Yoon or restore his powers. If Yoon is eliminated, a presidential election should be held in 60 days, till which Han will keep on the helm.
The principle opposition Democratic occasion has filed a criticism in opposition to Han to be included within the investigations for failing to dam Yoon’s try at martial legislation.
If parliament decides to question Han, the finance minister is subsequent in line amongst cupboard members to function performing president.
South Korea’s structure doesn’t specify how a lot the prime minister is empowered to do in finishing up the management function.
Most students say the prime minister should train restricted authority to the extent of stopping paralysis of state affairs and no extra, though some say he can train all of the powers of the president, because the structure consists of no restrictions.
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