Latest news with #HanDuck-soo
UPI
21-07-2025
- Business
- UPI
President Lee must dispatch Han Duck-soo as special envoy to Washington
Han Duck-soo has emerged as a compelling choice for special envoy to Washington to negotiate tariffs and other issues that tie the United States and South Korea. File Photo by Jeon Heon-Kyun/EPA SEOUL, July 21 (UPI) -- With U.S. President Donald Trump having officially declared that a 25% reciprocal tariff on all South Korean exports will take effect Aug. 1, the need for swift diplomatic engagement has become urgent. Sending a special envoy to Washington is no longer a matter of protocol, but a strategic imperative. The envoy's role would be to engage directly with senior U.S. officials -- possibly even with President Trump himself -- to address a range of high-stakes issues, including tariff negotiations, defense cost-sharing and bilateral cooperation on trade, energy and investment. Yet despite the urgency, reports indicate that the Lee Jae Myung administration is struggling to finalize its choice, as political debate and hesitation continue to delay the process. According to media reports, some within the ruling camp are calling for a full reconsideration of the nomination. Kim Chong-in, the former interim leader of the conservative People Power Party and the reported nominee, has publicly expressed displeasure at this development stating, "Did I ever ask to be sent [as a special envoy]?" The presidential office has offered only a vague response, likening the speculation to "being asked about a divorce before a wedding." These remarks suggest that Kim may have been tentatively considered, but mounting political resistance has likely caused the administration to retreat from that choice. Meanwhile, with the Aug. 1 deadline fast approaching, the task of appointing a credible and effective envoy remains unresolved. There is little time left. With Trump's tariff decision already formalized, South Korea must now act with urgency. The appointment of a special envoy is no longer optional -- it is a strategic necessity. Whoever is chosen must be capable of navigating the complex political and economic landscape in Washington and engaging directly with senior U.S. officials on the full range of critical bilateral issues -- from tariffs and defense cost-sharing to investment and energy cooperation. In this context, the government must prioritize credibility, clarity and results. That is why former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo emerges as a compelling choice. While Kim Chong-in is widely respected as a seasoned economic policymaker and negotiator, he may not be the right person for this delicate moment. In 2021, he publicly criticized Trump on social media -- a fact that likely has not gone unnoticed in Washington. Trump, famously reactive to criticism and guided by a highly transactional worldview, recently doubled tariffs on Brazil after President Lula voiced opposition. Sending an envoy with a history of confrontation could risk derailing already fragile talks. Han, on the other hand, has no prior personal relationship with Trump, but is said to have developed a warm rapport with him during a phone call. Trump reportedly praised Han's fluent English, perhaps sensing a sense of familiarity -- Han is a Harvard-trained economist, while Trump graduated from the Wharton School. That small personal connection may make a big difference in setting the tone of the conversation. In a high-stakes negotiation, personal chemistry matters. Compared to Kim, Han is more likely to establish a constructive dialogue with Trump -- something South Korea urgently needs. Beyond personal rapport, Han brings unmatched policy credentials. He is one of Korea's foremost experts in trade and economic diplomacy, having served across the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and as the country's first chief trade Nngotiator. He also was ambassador to the United States, and uniquely, he has served as prime minister under progressive and conservative administrations --Roh Moo-hyun and Yoon Suk-yeol -- earning bipartisan respect. From trade and security to American politics and protocol, Han is arguably the most qualified figure to handle a volatile and transactional counterpart like Trump. His greatest asset may be his ability to engage the U.S. president without a translator -- an advantage that cannot be overstated at the negotiating table. The stakes are especially high. The envoy will not only be tasked with addressing tariffs, but also with resolving disputes over non-tariff barriers, securing investment opportunities like the Alaska LNG project and navigating difficult defense-related negotiations -- including cost-sharing for U.S. troops stationed in Korea. Any misstep could have long-term consequences for Korea's economic and strategic position. And Trump is no ordinary interlocutor. To understand who Trump is, one need only look back to a 2016 interview in a Korean newspaper. "I sleep 28 hours a week and read 28 hours a week," he said. He is not merely a real estate developer, but a lifelong student of negotiation strategy. One of his favorite books is The Art of War by Sun Tzu, whose first principle is to win without fighting. In fact, Trump authored The Art of the Deal in 1987 -- a book that transformed him from an unknown businessman into a household name. Facing a leader like Trump requires more than policy expertise; it requires strategic insight and mental discipline. Yet, sending Han as special envoy may seem politically unthinkable at this moment. From the perspective of many in Lee's coalition, Han is a deeply controversial figure. He served as prime minister under former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is currently in jail awaiting trial on treason charges following his administration's failed martial law declaration. Han was seen by many progressives as being aligned with the previous government and even at odds with Lee himself. For some, nominating Han as envoy may appear to betray the spirit of political reform. But this is precisely where Lee has a chance to lead. If he truly seeks national unity and international credibility, now is the time to rise above partisanship and prioritize the national interest. Over the past few weeks, he has surprised many by making gestures of political inclusion -- retaining a minister from the previous administration, meeting with opposition leaders and even encouraging dialogue with the business community. These steps have stabilized markets, lifted investor confidence and helped push his approval rating above his election-day result. Appointing Han as special envoy would be a natural extension of that leadership style. Whether or not Han succeeds in negotiations, the act of appointing him would signal the seriousness and maturity of the Lee administration to both domestic and international audiences. In moments like this, personal risk is often the price of statesmanship. What's needed now is not just diplomacy -- but a decision.
Epoch Times
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
South Korea Police Impose Travel Ban on Former Prime Minister Han and Ex-finance Minister Choi
SEOUL—South Korean police have banned former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ex-Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok from travelling abroad as part of a probe into alleged insurrection linked to former leader Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid, a police official said. The travel ban was imposed in mid-May, the Yonhap news agency reported. Han and Choi were questioned on Monday by a special police unit investigating former top government officials over insurrection charges, Yonhap said.
Sinar Daily
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Ex-PM, former deputy PM barred from leaving South Korea in martial law probe
The exit bans were reportedly issued in mid-May, Yonhap news agency quoted the police Tuesday. 27 May 2025 03:15pm (COMBO) This combination of pictures made on May 27, 2025 shows South Korea's Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok (L) attending a joint press conference on South Korea's post impeachment situation in Seoul on December 18, 2024, and former acting president Han Duck-soo speaking to formally announce his candidacy for the presidential election at the National Assembly in Seoul on May 2, 2025. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE and Jung Yeon-je / AFP) SEOUL - Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck Soo and former Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang Mok have been barred from leaving South Korea amid an ongoing investigation into an alleged insurrection attempt involving ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol. The exit bans were reportedly issued in mid-May, Yonhap news agency quoted the police Tuesday. Both Han and Choi have been named as suspects in connection with Yoon's failed attempt to declare martial law on Dec 3 last year. Police said the two were summoned on Monday, along with former Interior Minister Lee Sang Min, for questioning that lasted around 10 hours. Lee had already been placed under an exit ban earlier in December. The questioning focused on whether the former officials made false statements regarding how martial law-related documents were received during a Cabinet meeting held on the night of Dec 3. Police have completed analysis of surveillance footage from the presidential office's Cabinet meeting room and hallway as part of their investigation. - BERNAMA-YONHAP More Like This
The Star
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Seoul slaps travel bans on two former acting presidents: Yonhap
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (right) and former Deputy Prime Minister for economic affairs Choi Sang-mok (left) attend a Cabinet meeting at the government complex in Jongno District, central Seoul on April 29, 2025. - Photo: Joint press corps SEOUL: South Korean authorities have imposed travel bans on two former acting presidents as part of an investigation into ex-leader Yoon Suk Yeol's December martial law bid, Yonhap news agency said Tuesday (May 27). "Police said on May 27 that former prime minister Han Duck-soo and former finance minister Choi Sang-mok have been banned from leaving the country as they are being investigated as suspects in an insurrection case," Yonhap reported, adding the ban came into effect in mid-May. Yoon was formally stripped of office last month after being impeached and suspended by lawmakers over his December 3 attempt to subvert civilian rule, which saw armed soldiers deployed to parliament. He is currently on trial on insurrection charges over that declaration. If found guilty, Yoon would become the third South Korean president to be found guilty of insurrection -- after two military leaders in connection with a 1979 coup. For charges of insurrection, Yoon could be sentenced to life in prison or the maximum penalty: the death sentence. South Koreans go to the polls next week to elect Yoon's successor, capping months of political turmoil since the martial law declaration. Career bureaucrat Han had been touted as a possible candidate to replace him. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) this month was forced to backtrack after trying to revoke former labour minister Kim Moon-soo's candidacy in favour of Han. - AFP
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former South Korean PM Han Duck-soo seeks presidency on pledge of constitutional reform
SEOUL, May 7 (UPI) -- Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Wednesday he would make reforming South Korea's constitution his top priority if he is able to secure the candidacy of the conservative People Power Party and win the presidency next month. Han made the remark at a briefing with international journalists in downtown Seoul ahead of a meeting with current PPP presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo, who won the party nomination last week. The two are expected to discuss unifying the conservative candidacy in an effort to defeat current frontrunner Lee Jae-myung of the opposition Democratic Party. Han, who served as acting president after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and removed from office last month, said that deep political divisions are threatening to tear South Korea apart. "I decided to run because I felt a sense of crisis," Han said. "If politics do not change completely, the South Korea that our people have worked so hard to build may collapse. I believe that the economy and the society of South Korea should not be held back by politics." Han declared his bid for the presidency on Friday, one day after resigning his post as prime minister and acting president. In announcing his candidacy, the 75-year-old said that, if elected, he would work with public input to craft an amendment proposal during his first year in office and would step down after his third year, when parliamentary and presidential elections would be held under the new Constitution. The South Korean presidency currently consists of a single, five-year term. Han did not specify details of the constitutional reform on Wednesday but said that power must be decentralized and called for a system "where we invite the public to participate in politics." "We have to give less authority to the president as well as the National Assembly," Han said. "We have to have separation of powers. After one year of discussion with the public, I believe we can correct the current system." Han has also held posts as trade minister and finance minister and was the South Korean ambassador to the United States. Han said Wednesday he would not register as a candidate unless there is a merger with Kim under the PPP banner. May 11 is the deadline for candidate registration with the National Election Commission, ahead of the election on June 3. "I have entrusted everything regarding unification to the People Power Party," Han said. "No matter what, I will accept the outcome." He added that a unified candidacy reflects a "solemn order from the public." "Otherwise, there is no future for Korea and we cannot unify our society and politics," Han said.
