South Korea's acting leader Han resigns amid reports he will run for presidential election

Han Duck-soo. File pic

South Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo said Thursday he was resigning amid reports he will run in next month's presidential election.

Han said in a televised briefing he determined he would quit to take a bigger responsibility for the country. South Korean media reported Han will officially launch his presidential campaign Friday.

Han was appointed prime minister, the country's No. 2 post, by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office, triggering the by-election.

Han has been emerging as a potential conservative standard bearer, as the main conservative People Power Party remains in disarray over Yoon's Dec. 3 imposition of martial law.

Observers say Han is expected to align with the People Power Party to launch a unified conservative campaign against liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung.

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