Independent presidential candidate Han Duck-soo said on the 7th, “The economy and society of the Republic of Korea should no longer be hindered by politics,” and noted, “I will ensure the success of constitutional amendment to save the economy and society of the Republic of Korea.”
Candidate Han said during a press meeting invited by the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club held that afternoon at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, “We need to change politics through constitutional amendment to revive the economy. I will resign as soon as the constitutional amendment is successful.”
Candidate Han diagnosed, “Currently, the Republic of Korea is facing enormous challenges both domestically and internationally,” adding, “The international order is shaking, and the trade order is changing rapidly. Although this is a challenge faced by every country around the world, the Republic of Korea is additionally confronted with a very difficult and chaotic domestic political situation.”
He also stated, “It is hard to find a precedent globally for the fact that 31 individuals, including the Prime Minister, have been consecutively impeached over the past three years,” and remarked, “Harvard University Professor Steven Levitsky wrote that in place of visible dictatorial politics disappearing around the world, extreme partisan polarization is threatening democracy. It is such a piercing observation that it seems as if he was looking into our situation.”
Candidate Han explained, “In Korean society, politics has become a source of crises rather than the center for overcoming them,” and stated, “I decided to run for office out of a sense of crisis that if politics does not change completely, the Republic of Korea, which our people have worked hard to build, may collapse.”
In particular, he emphasized that he would play a bridging role, expressing that he is a “Korea-U.S. trade expert.”
He said, “I promise to resolve trade issues along with the constitutional amendment,” and noted, “I can confidently say that I am the person who has dealt with Korea-U.S. trade issues the longest and the one who can do it best.”
He added, “When I communicated (during the presidential) acting authority period with President Trump, I got the impression that he is friendly and proactive in resolving issues with Korea,” stating, “I will reach a wonderful conclusion that will mutually win-win within the limit of not infringing on the national interests of both countries.”