• Han Duck-soo resigns as acting president to run for the presidency in the June 3 election.
• His resignation follows the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over a failed martial law declaration.
• Han aims to unify conservative support amidst growing political instability and challenges from rival candidates.
• Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung faces scrutiny following a court ruling on election law violations.
• Han's potential presidency raises questions about political continuity and reforms in South Korea.

South Korea's acting leader, Han Duck-soo, announced his resignation on Thursday to clear the path for his candidacy in the upcoming presidential election, set for June 3. Han, 75, emphasized the need to take on "heavier responsibility" during his resignation speech, indicating he is prepared to lead the nation in a time of crisis, according to Reuters and NPR.

His departure comes amid ongoing political turmoil following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted after a controversial martial law declaration. Han's resignation allows Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok to step in as acting president until a new leader is elected, but Choi himself faced an impending impeachment vote, heightening the show's instability in the government, as reported by Anadolu Agency and India Times.

Han's announcement aligns him closely with Yoon’s People Power Party, which has been in disarray since Yoon's impeachment. As Han gears up for his campaign, he indicated a commitment to addressing economic issues and possibly amending the constitution to shorten presidential terms, reflecting a desire for political reform, according to Los Angeles Times and South China Morning Post.

As Han rises as a conservative front-runner, the political climate also remains tense for his opposition, particularly front-runner Lee Jae-myung, who recently faced a court ruling on election law violations. This decision has provoked backlash from Lee's supporters and could significantly impact his campaign, as highlighted by Channel News Asia and TRT Global.