Han Duck-soo navigated a career that spanned the highest echelons of South Korean governance, eventually culminating in a series of acting presidencies during a period of intense political instability. Born in Jeonju in 1949, he built a resume grounded in economics and diplomacy, serving multiple terms as prime minister under different administrations before his career concluded with legal proceedings.
Economic and Diplomatic Foundation
Han earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Seoul National University in 1971 before attending Harvard University, where he completed a master’s degree in 1979 and a doctorate in 1984. He entered public service through the National Tax Service in 1970 and later joined the Economic Planning Board. By the late 1990s, he held significant positions within the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, managing trade negotiations during the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
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In 2005, Han began his tenure as Minister of Finance and Economy, a role he held until 2006. He first ascended to the office of Prime Minister in 2007 under President Roh Moo-hyun, serving until 2008. After a period as the ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2012, where he facilitated the United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement, he chaired the Korea International Trade Association. He returned to the premiership in 2022 under President Yoon Suk Yeol, becoming the oldest individual to hold the position at age 72.
Crisis Management and Impeachment
During his second premiership, Han addressed a medical sector crisis in 2024 by implementing emergency measures following a mass resignation of doctors. Following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol in December 2024, Han assumed the role of acting president. His own tenure was soon disrupted by a National Assembly impeachment due to his refusal to promulgate special counsel bills. Although he was reinstated by a court ruling in March 2025, he resigned in May 2025 to pursue an independent presidential bid.
Legal Proceedings
In August 2025, special prosecutors indicted Han for his involvement in the 2024 martial law declaration. In January 2026, he received a 23-year prison sentence for charges including insurrection, perjury, and the destruction of official documents. An appeal in May 2026 resulted in the reduction of his sentence to 15 years, with the original insurrection charge downgraded to aiding an insurrection.
Fast facts
- Born: 1949, Jeonju, South Korea
- Education: Seoul National University, Harvard University
- Prime Minister of South Korea: 2007–2008, 2022–2025
- Acting President of South Korea: 2024, 2025
- Ambassador to the United States: 2009–2012
- Award: Order of Civil Merit (2013)
- Religion: Agnosticism
Questions readers ask
Did Han Duck-soo serve as prime minister more than once?
Yes, he served two distinct terms as Prime Minister of South Korea, first from 2007 to 2008 and again from 2022 to 2025.
What were the legal consequences of his role in the 2024 martial law declaration?
He was found guilty of aiding an insurrection, perjury, and falsifying official documents, receiving a 15-year prison sentence following an appeal in May 2026.
