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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| President of South Korea | |
| Acting 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) |
| Acting 14 December 2024 – 27 December 2024 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Yoon Suk Yeol |
| Succeeded by | Choi Sang-mok (acting) |
| 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 | Kim Min-seok Lee Ju-ho (acting) |
| In office 2 April 2007 – 29 February 2008 |
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| President | Roh Moo-hyun Lee Myung-bak |
| 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 |
| 22nd South Korean Ambassador to the United States |
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| 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 | People Power (since 2025) |
| Other political affiliations |
Independent (until 2025) |
| Spouse | Choi Ah-young |
| Education | |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Economics |
| Thesis | External shocks, adjustments, and growth: Korean case (1984) |
| Doctoral advisor |
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| 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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| RR | Han Deoksu |
| MR | Han Tŏksu |
Han Duck-soo (Hangul: 한덕수; born 18 June 1949) is a South Korean diplomat, economist, and politician. He served as the acting president of South Korea in December 2024 and again from March to May 2025. He was also the prime minister of South Korea from 2007 to 2008 and from 2022 to 2025.
Born in Jeonju, Han Duck-soo is one of only five people to serve as prime minister twice. He worked under Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Yoon Suk Yeol. He also held important roles like Minister of Economy and Finance and Ambassador to the United States. From 2012 to 2015, he was the chairman of the Korea International Trade Association.
In December 2024, Han became the acting president after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached. An impeachment means a high official is accused of wrongdoing and might be removed from office. Later that month, Han himself was impeached by the National Assembly of South Korea. This happened because he did not approve certain bills and did not appoint judges to the Constitutional Court of Korea. His duties as acting president and prime minister were then given to Choi Sang-mok.
However, in March 2025, the Constitutional Court decided to overturn Han's impeachment. This meant he was able to return to his roles as acting president and prime minister. After President Yoon was officially removed from office in April 2025, Han was expected to continue as acting president. But he resigned in May 2025 to run for president himself. He later withdrew his presidential candidacy.
Contents
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 economics at Seoul National University, earning his bachelor's degree in 1971. He continued his studies at Harvard University in the United States, where he received a master's degree in economics in 1979 and a doctorate in economics in 1984.
Early Political Career
Han Duck-soo began his career at the National Tax Service in 1970. Four years later, he joined the Economic Planning Board. In 1982, he moved to what is now the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. He became Vice Minister there from 1997 to 1998, during a time when Asia faced a financial crisis.
After this, he served as Minister of Trade Affairs from 1998 to 2000. In this role, he focused on trade talks with other countries. In March 2005, Han became Minister of Finance. He also briefly served as Acting Prime Minister in 2006. He later became a special advisor to the president for free trade agreements.
Serving as Prime Minister
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Premierships of Han Duck-soo
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| President | Roh Moo-hyun (2007–2008) Yoon Suk Yeol (2022–2025) Himself (Apr.–May 2025) |
| Party | Independent |
| Seat | Sejong City |
| First term | |
| 2 April 2007 – 29 February 2008 | |
| Cabinet | Full list |
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← Han Myeong-sook • Han Seung-soo →
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| Second term | |
| 21 May 2022 – 1 May 2025 Powers suspended from December 27, 2024 to March 24, 2025 |
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| Cabinet | Full list |
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First Term as Prime Minister (2007–2008)
On March 9, 2007, President Roh Moo-hyun chose Han Duck-soo to be the new prime minister. The National Assembly approved his nomination on April 2, 2007. He served until February 29, 2008, when Lee Myung-bak became president.
After His First Term (2009–2022)
Because Han was seen as a balanced politician, President Lee Myung-bak appointed him as the South Korean Ambassador to the United States in 2009. During this time, he helped create important trade agreements. From 2012 to 2015, Han also led the Korea International Trade Association.
Second Term as Prime Minister (2022–2025)
Before his second term, Han taught at universities. In 2022, President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol nominated him for prime minister again. Han said his main goal would be to make the economy stable. He was approved in May 2022, becoming the oldest person to take the office at nearly 73 years old.
In February 2024, many doctors resigned to protest a government plan to increase medical school admissions. This caused delays in medical care. 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 April 2024, Han offered to resign after his party lost in the legislative elections. In August 2024, he advised President Yoon Suk Yeol to reject some bills from the opposition party. He also announced plans to help hospitals with trainee doctor programs and improve healthcare.
In December 2024, Han said he was against President Yoon's declaration of martial law. He later apologized for it. Han was questioned by police as part of an investigation into the martial law declaration.
Acting President (2024, 2025)
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Acting presidencies of Han Duck-soo
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| Premier | Himself |
| Cabinet | Full list |
| Party | Independent |
| Seat | Seoul |
| First term | |
| 14 December 2024 – 27 December 2024 (Removal) |
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← Yoon Suk Yeol • Choi Sang-mok (acting) →
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| Second term | |
| 24 March 2025 – 1 May 2025 | |
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← Choi Sang-mok (acting) • Lee Ju-ho (acting) →
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First Time as Acting President (2024)
Han Duck-soo became the acting president of South Korea on December 14, 2024, after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached. While he was acting president, Han rejected six bills that the National Assembly had passed. He said some bills could harm the economy or privacy.
Impeachment and Reinstatement
On December 24, 2024, the Democratic Party announced they would try to impeach Han. This was because he did not approve two special bills and did not appoint new judges to the Constitutional Court. The vote happened on December 27, and Han was impeached by the National Assembly. After this, Choi Sang-mok took over as acting president and prime minister.
Han's impeachment trial began in February 2025. He said he did not know about President Yoon's plans for martial law beforehand and tried to stop them. He apologized for the political problems and asked for wise judgment from the country.
On March 24, 2025, the Constitutional Court decided to overturn Han's impeachment. This meant he could return to his role as acting president. The court agreed that Han had made some mistakes but said they were not serious enough to remove him from office.
Second Time as Acting President (2025)
When Han returned to office on March 24, 2025, he promised to keep the government stable and protect South Korea's interests. One of his first actions was to manage the response to the 2025 South Korea wildfires, which he called the worst in the country's history.
In April 2025, Han rejected a bill that would have changed rules for company directors. He said it could hurt businesses. After the Constitutional Court officially removed President Yoon from office on April 4, Han was expected to serve as acting president until the next presidential election.
On April 8, Han spoke with US President Donald Trump. Han also appointed new judges to the Constitutional Court. However, the opposition parties criticized these appointments, and a court order later suspended them. On April 29, Han rejected another bill that would have limited his powers as acting president.
After the Presidency and 2025 Presidential Campaign
After hinting at a presidential campaign, Han resigned as acting president and prime minister on May 1, 2025. He said he wanted to "unify the country." He announced his presidential campaign on May 2, promising to serve for only three years to amend the Constitution and address national issues.
His first campaign event was at the May 18th National Cemetery. However, protesters blocked him from entering. Han also talked with Kim Moon-soo, another politician, about running together as a conservative candidate.
On May 10, the People Power Party (PPP) briefly nominated Han as their candidate, but then changed their minds and reinstated Kim Moon-soo. Han apologized for the confusion and ended his campaign on May 11, promising to support Kim.
Travel Restrictions
On May 27, 2025, Han and former Finance Minister Choi were not allowed to travel outside the country. This happened because they were named as suspects in the investigation related to President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration.
Personal Life
Han Duck-soo is married to Choi Ah-young. They do not have children.
Honors
National Honors
South Korea:
Recipient of the Order of Civil Merit, Mugunghwa Medal (2013)
Recipient of the Order of Service Merit, Blue Stripe (2012)
Recipient of the Order of Muhunhwa (2024) (As acting president of the country)
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See also
In Spanish: Han Duck-soo para niños
