Han Duck-soo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Han Duck-soo
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한덕수
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Han in 2024
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| Acting President of South Korea | |
| In office 24 March 2025 – 1 May 2025 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Choi Sang-mok (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Lee Ju-ho (acting) |
| In office 14 December 2024 – 27 December 2024 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Yoon Suk Yeol |
| Succeeded by | Choi Sang-mok (acting) |
| 38th & 48th Prime Minister of South Korea | |
| In office 21 May 2022 – 1 May 2025 |
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| President | Yoon Suk Yeol Himself (acting) Choi Sang-mok (acting) Himself (acting) |
| Deputy |
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| Preceded by | Kim Boo-kyum Choo Kyung-ho (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Lee Ju-ho (acting) |
| In office 2 April 2007 – 29 February 2008 |
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| President | Roh Moo-hyun |
| Preceded by | Han Myeong-sook |
| Succeeded by | Han Seung-soo |
| Acting 16 March 2006 – 19 April 2006 |
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| President | Roh Moo-hyun |
| Preceded by | Lee Hae-chan |
| Succeeded by | Han Myeong-sook |
| South Korean Ambassador to the United States | |
| In office 9 March 2009 – 17 February 2012 |
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| President | Lee Myung-bak |
| Preceded by | Lee Tae-sik |
| Succeeded by | Choi Young-jin |
| Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance |
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| In office 14 March 2005 – 18 July 2006 |
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| Prime Minister |
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| Preceded by | Lee Hun-jai |
| Succeeded by | Kwon O-kyu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 June 1949 Jeonju, South Korea |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Choi Ah-young |
| Education | |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Economics |
| Thesis | External shocks, adjustments, and growth: Korean case (1984) |
| Doctoral advisor |
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| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | South Korea |
| Branch/service | Republic of Korea Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul |
한덕수
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| Hanja |
韓悳洙
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| Revised Romanization | Han Deoksu |
| McCune–Reischauer | Han Tŏksu |
Han Duck-soo (Hangul: 한덕수; born 18 June 1949) is a South Korean diplomat, economist, and politician. He has served as the acting president of South Korea and as the prime minister of South Korea. He is known for holding the prime minister's office twice.
Han was born in Jeonju, South Korea. He served as prime minister under President Roh Moo-hyun from 2007 to 2008. Later, he became prime minister again from 2022 to 2025. He also worked as the Minister of Economy and Finance and as the Ambassador to the United States.
In December 2024, Han became the acting president of South Korea. This happened after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol. However, Han was also impeached later that month. This was because he did not approve certain bills. He was reinstated as acting president and prime minister in March 2025. He resigned in May 2025 to run for president.
Early Life and Education
Han Duck-soo was born on June 18, 1949, in Jeonju, South Korea. He was the fifth of nine children. He served in the South Korean Army and left as a sergeant.
He studied at Seoul National University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1971. He then went to Harvard University. There, he received a master's degree in economics in 1979 and a doctorate in economics in 1984.
Political Career Highlights
Starting in Government
Han began his career in government at the National Tax Service in 1970. Four years later, he joined the Economic Planning Board. In 1982, he moved to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. He became Vice Minister there from 1997 to 1998. This was during the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
After this, he was the Minister of Trade Affairs from 1998 to 2000. His main job was to handle trade discussions with other countries. In March 2005, Han became the Minister of Finance. He also served briefly as acting prime minister in 2006.
First Time as Prime Minister
On March 9, 2007, President Roh Moo-hyun chose Han to be prime minister. The National Assembly approved his nomination in April 2007. He served until February 29, 2008.
After His First Term
After his first term as prime minister, Han was seen as a balanced politician. President Lee Myung-bak appointed him as the South Korean Ambassador to the United States in 2009. He helped with the United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement. From 2012 to 2015, Han also led the Korea International Trade Association.
Second Time as Prime Minister
In April 2022, President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol nominated Han for prime minister again. Han said his main goal would be to make the economy stable. He was approved in May and became prime minister for the second time. At 72, he was the oldest person to hold this office.
In February 2024, many doctors resigned to protest a government plan. This caused problems for medical services. Han ordered emergency actions, like using online doctor visits and opening military clinics. He also raised the country's health alert level to 'severe'.
In August 2024, Han advised President Yoon Suk Yeol on some bills. He said they went against the president's rights. He also announced plans to help hospitals with trainee doctor programs.
In December 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol made a controversial decision. Han later apologized for this decision. He said he had always been against it.
First Time as Acting President (2024)
Han became the acting president of South Korea on December 14, 2024. This happened after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached. Han vetoed six bills passed by the National Assembly. He said some bills could harm the market or privacy.
His Impeachment
On December 24, the Democratic Party decided to try to impeach Han. This was because he did not approve two special investigation bills. These bills aimed to investigate President Yoon and his wife. The motion to impeach Han was filed on December 26. On December 27, the National Assembly voted to impeach him. He was replaced by Choi Sang-mok as acting president and prime minister.
The Constitutional Court of Korea then reviewed Han's impeachment. Han said he did not know about the president's controversial plans beforehand. He also said he tried to stop them. He apologized for the political situation. He argued that approving the special investigation bills would go against constitutional rules.
Second Time as Acting President (2025)
On March 24, 2025, the Constitutional Court decided to overturn Han's impeachment. This allowed him to return as acting president. The court said that while he made some mistakes, they were not enough to remove him from office.
When he returned to office, Han promised to keep the government stable. He also said he would protect South Korea's interests. One of his first actions was to manage the response to the March 2025 South Korea wildfires. He called them the worst in the country's history.
On April 1, Han vetoed a bill about company directors' duties. He said it could hurt businesses. After President Yoon Suk Yeol was officially removed from office on April 4, Han continued as acting president. He set the date for the next presidential election.
On April 8, Han spoke with US President Donald Trump. He said South Korea would not join China and Japan in protesting US tariffs. He also appointed new judges to the Constitutional Court. These appointments were criticized by some political parties.
Resignation and Presidential Campaign
On May 1, Han announced he was resigning as acting president and prime minister. He said he wanted to "unify the country." The next day, he announced he would run for president. He promised to serve for only three years if elected. He also said he would work on changing the Constitution and dealing with trade issues.
Personal Life
Han Duck-soo is married to Choi Ah-young. They do not have any children.
Honours
National Honours
South Korea:
Recipient of the Order of Civil Merit, Mugunghwa Medal (2013)
Recipient of the Order of Service Merit, Blue Stripe (2012)
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_Blue_Stripes.png){kind=small}
See also
In Spanish: Han Duck-soo para niños
