South Korea’s former prime minister Han Duck-soo said on Wednesday he was the best candidate to cut a deal with US President Donald Trump, as the country faces a snap poll triggered by the impeachment of the former president.
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The June 3 presidential election will decide who replaces Yoon Suk-yeol, who was removed from office over his ill-fated declaration of martial law in December, which sent South Korea into a period of prolonged political turmoil.
Han, a 75-year-old career bureaucrat and prime minister under Yoon, was acting president but resigned last week and officially announced his presidential bid.
His approval rating is in the single digits.
Han, who spent around two months as acting leader after Yoon was impeached, said on Wednesday he was “the most experienced and capable person” to discuss trade issues with the US.
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South Korean acting president announces bid for office after Supreme Court overturns front runner’s
South Korean acting president announces bid for office after Supreme Court overturns front runner’s
While leading the country, he said he had directly spoken to Trump, who he saw as an “amicable” and “proactive” person in “resolving issues with South Korea”.