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BREAKING
Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
Sheikh Qassem: There will be no phased handing in of our arms. [The Israelis] must first enact the agreement before we start talking about a defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: Be brave in the face of foreign pressures, and we will be by your side in this stance.
Sheikh Qassem: Stripping us of our arms is like stripping us of our very soul, and this will prompt us to show them our might.
Sheikh Qassem: We will not abandon our arms, for they gave us dignity; we will not abandon our arms, for they protect us against our enemy.
Sheikh Qassem: The US efforts we are seeing are aimed at sabotaging Lebanon and constitute a call for sedition.
Sheikh Qassem: If you truly want to establish sovereignty and work for Lebanon’s interests, then stop the aggression.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States, which is meddling in Lebanon, is not trustworthy but rather poses a danger to it.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States is preventing the weapons that protect the homeland.
Sheikh Qassem: The government’s latest decision [on the disarmament of the Resistance] is non-charter-based, and if the government continues down this path, it is not faithful to Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Former South Korean PM launches presidential bid in snap election

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 2 May 2025 11:42
3 Min Read

Han Duck-soo declares his presidential bid in South Korea’s snap election following the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol over the controversial declaration of martial law in December.

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  • South Korean Former Acting President Han Duck-soo speaks during a press conference at the Government Complex in Seoul, South Korea, May 1, 2025 (Hong Hae-in/AP)
    South Korean Former Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks during a press conference at the Government Complex in Seoul, South Korea, on May 1, 2025. (Hong Hae-in/AP)

Former South Korean Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo officially declared his presidential bid on Friday, entering a turbulent race sparked by the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol.

The upcoming snap election, set for June 3, follows months of political instability triggered by Yoon's controversial declaration of martial law in December, when Yoon accused the opposition of dominating the parliament, sympathizing with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and crippling the administration through anti-state acts. 

Han, appointed prime minister by Yoon Suk-yeol, became interim leader after Yoon’s December impeachment. He was briefly impeached himself by the Democratic Party for allegedly obstructing Yoon’s removal, but was reinstated in March by the Constitutional Court. Han is now expected to join the PPP in a bid against liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung.

The political crisis deepened on Thursday when Han and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok both resigned, and a retrial was ordered. Choi, who had been tapped to replace Han as acting president, faced impeachment proceedings tied to the martial law incident. The process was halted following his resignation.

Han stepped down as acting president and prime minister, hinting at a presidential run and saying he was ready to "take on a greater responsibility."

"For the future of the Republic of Korea, a country I deeply love, and for all of us, I have decided to do what I can," Han said in a televised speech on Friday.

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"I will do my utmost to be chosen by our people in this presidential election."

Conservative-Liberal showdown looms in June 3 vote

A seasoned public servant, Han has held a wide range of top-level roles across both conservative and liberal administrations, including stints as finance minister, trade minister, and ambassador to the US.

Notably, Han has twice served as prime minister, first under the late president Roh Moo-hyun and most recently under Yoon. As a candidate, he is positioning himself as an experienced leader capable of steering South Korea out of crisis.

“I have dedicated my life to serving on the front lines of economic development as a proud public servant of the Republic of Korea,” Han stated. He pledged to address ongoing trade disputes, including Washington’s tariffs, and promised constitutional reform.

The presidential race has been further complicated by a court decision ordering a retrial for Lee Jae-myung. The ruling overturned a prior acquittal related to alleged false statements made during a previous campaign, casting uncertainty over his candidacy just weeks ahead of the vote.

The legal and political drama has heightened public attention on the June 3 election, which will determine who takes over at a critical juncture for the nation’s democracy.

Han has vowed to pursue constitutional changes, particularly regarding South Korea’s single five-year presidential term. Critics have long argued that the system concentrates excessive power in one individual, creating weak institutional checks and enabling executive overreach.

Reforming the presidency, Han believes, is essential to restoring public trust and ensuring a more balanced governance model. His pledge to amend the Constitution marks a central pillar of his presidential bid.

  • Yoon Suk Yeol
  • Han Duck-soo
  • South Korean Elections
  • South Korea

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