Han Duck-soo, the acting president and prime minister, resigned from his public office on the 1st to run in the 21st presidential election.
The acting prime minister noted during a public address at the Government Seoul Office that, "I have made the final decision to step down from my position to do what I can and what I must do to overcome the crisis we face."
The acting prime minister said, "I am now stepping down from the position of acting president and prime minister." He added, "In considering the weight of the responsibility I bear during this serious time, I have long agonized and reflected on whether this decision is indeed right and inevitable, and if there is no other path but this one, then I have decided to go.**
The acting prime minister stated, "I entered public office in 1970 and have spent nearly 50 years working at the forefront of Korea's economic development as a worker and a living witness for our people." He emphasized, "Whether as an individual or a nation, overcoming one challenge does not end there, as usually an even more difficult challenge arises after that."
He said, "Whether South Korea's politics move toward cooperation or become immersed in extreme politics, these two outcomes currently depend on us." He added, "If we do not abandon extreme politics and establish a framework for cooperation, division and conflict will only be repeated, no matter who comes to power."
The acting prime minister stated, "South Korea is a nation that has risen through exports, yet the global trade order is rapidly changing." He continued, "Our security is vital, and the geopolitical order surrounding us is shaking unpredictably."
He remarked, "Right now, our society is trapped in the quagmire of factions that have turned their backs on each other for several years, making it impossible to have any reasonable discussions." He added, "I have been pondering what the path to fulfilling my responsibilities looks like."
The acting prime minister said, "Whether I succeed or fail is not important, but our future must be assured." He added, "For the sake of our nation, I will follow the path I believe is best, right now and in the future, without any excuses, to the very end."
Below is the full text of the acting prime minister's address to the public.
Dear citizens,
Today, I stand here to talk about the final decision I have made regarding the issues I have deeply contemplated. I am now stepping down from the position of acting president and prime minister.
Considering the weight of the responsibility I bear during this serious time, after long agonizing and reflecting, I have decided, if there is no other path but this one, then I must go.
Citizens, since I entered public office in 1970, I have spent nearly 50 years at the forefront of Korea's economic development, working as a laborer and a living witness for our citizens. South Korea has come this far due to the blood, sweat, and tears of each one of our citizens.
The fact that our country has risen this much is a miracle achieved through the solidarity of the entire nation. Being able to contribute my small strength and efforts to this journey has been the pride and honor of my life. I bow my head in gratitude to the citizens who have given me the opportunity to work for our nation.
Citizens, I am deeply pained to think about the conflicts and confusion each of our citizens has endured. This is because I know very well how our country has risen and how much our citizens have struggled and worked for that.
Citizens, it is very difficult for a poor nation to shake off poverty and achieve prosperity, and it is even harder for an authoritarian state to establish democracy. We have accomplished both. It is a proud history.
The problem is that whether it is an individual or a nation, overcoming one challenge does not mean the end; often, more challenging difficulties follow. Many people will agree that South Korea is at a crossroads. Whether the 10th-largest economy in the world solidifies itself to the level of the G7 or falls behind at its current level depends on whether South Korean politics can move toward cooperation or become mired in extreme politics, and these two outcomes depend on us right now.
I feel a desperate sense of crisis, knowing that with unreasonable economic policies that shift depending on the charts, we cannot secure our national interests in external negotiations, strengthen our industry’s competitiveness, or revitalize the regional economy. If we do not abandon extreme politics and establish a framework for cooperation, division and conflict will only be repeated, regardless of who is in power.
Citizens, over nearly 50 years, what I have learned at the forefront of the economy is the simple truth that when the nation moves forward, the citizens can also move forward. South Korea now faces unprecedented massive challenges and crises from both inside and outside. South Korea is a nation that rose through exports, yet the global trade order is rapidly changing.
South Korea's security is vital, and the geopolitical order surrounding us is shaking unpredictably. We are a nation that has come together to overcome crises, yet right now our society is trapped in the quagmire of factions that have turned their backs on each other for several years, making any reasonable discussion impossible.
Citizens, I have been pondering what the path to fulfilling my responsibilities looks like. I have had many sleepless nights. In front of me lie two paths. One is to fulfill the important role I am currently tasked with, and the other is to take on bigger responsibilities by stepping away from that role.
I have made the final decision to step down from my position to do what I can and what I must do to overcome the crisis we face.
Citizens, whether I succeed or fail is not important. However, our future must be assured. We must not sit back. We must succeed. We must continue to advance and prosper.
I am a flawed person. However, for the nation, I will walk the path that I believe is best, right now and in the future, without any excuses, to the very end. Thank you.