SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo made a strong case for constitutional reform and conservative unity during a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club on Wednesday, saying he would rather fix the country’s broken political system than chase long-term power.
“I'm not here to be just another candidate. I'm here because our system is in crisis,” Han said, speaking with a mix of urgency and conviction. “What the country needs now is not five more years of partisan fighting. We need stability, we need structure, and we need change.”
Han, who entered the race as an independent earlier this week, said he is still open to joining forces with the ruling People Power Party (PPP), calling unification “the will of the people.”
“The public wants us to work together. It’s not about personal ambition—it’s about avoiding another five years of dysfunction,” he said. “I’ve spoken with Chairman Kim Moon-soo. We’re aligned in many ways, but we still need to work through how we can move forward as one.”
If elected, Han said he would push for constitutional reform within his first year in office and step down after a three-year transitional term. He declined to commit to a specific new system but made clear he believes the current presidential model is too centralized and unstable.
“It leads to constant confrontation between the presidency and the legislature, and it makes it difficult to govern with long-term vision,” he said. “What we need is a system that works for the next generation, not just the next administration.”
Han also addressed the controversy surrounding former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to impose martial law last December, calling it a mistake.
“I did not support martial law. That’s not how democracy is supposed to work,” he said. “Even in moments of crisis, the answer is not force. The answer is trust in institutions and dialogue.”
On the economy, Han leaned into his background as a trade minister and ambassador to the United States, suggesting his experience would help guide Korea through global uncertainty.
“I know how Washington works. I know how international trade works. That knowledge matters when the world is changing as fast as it is today,” he said. “We need steady leadership, especially in foreign affairs and economic policy.”
With less than a month until the June 3 presidential election, Han's campaign is now centered on two themes: overhaul the political system, and bring conservatives together.
“I’m not trying to win for the sake of winning,” he said. “I want to help the country move beyond division. I want to give younger generations a better foundation than the one we’ve had. That’s why I’m running.”
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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