Han Duck-soo

Han Duck-soo
한덕수
Prime Minister of South Korea
In office 2 April 2007 – 29 February 2008
President	Roh Moo-hyun Lee Myung-bak
Preceded by	Han Myeong-sook
Succeeded by	Han Seung-soo
In office 14 March 2006 – 19 April 2006 Acting
President	Roh Moo-hyun
Preceded by	Lee Hae-chan
Succeeded by	Han Myeong-sook
South Korean Ambassador to the United States
In office March 2009 – March 2013
Preceded by	Lee Tae-sik
Succeeded by	Choi Young-jin
Personal details
Born	(1949-06-18) 18 June 1949 Jeonju, North Jeolla, South Korea)
Alma mater	Harvard University Seoul National University

Han Duck-soo (한덕수; born 18 June 1949) was the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) from 2007 until February 2008. He is currently serving as Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association.

Han holds a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University (1984) and a B.A. in Economics from Seoul National University (1971). His career spans over 35 years, starting at the National Tax Service in 1970 and the Economic Planning Board four years later. In 1982, he moved to what is now the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, where he rose to Vice Minister in 1997-1998, during the Asian financial crisis; he later became Minister of Trade Affairs (1998–2000), handling trade negotiations with foreign governments.

Han subsequently became Minister of Finance^[1] and served as Acting Prime Minister from 14 March 2006 to 19 April 2006. He resigned as Finance Minister in July 2006 and instead became a special presidential advisor for free trade agreement affairs.^[1]

On 9 March 2007, Han was nominated as Prime Minister by President Roh Moo-hyun following the resignation of Han Myeong-sook.^[1][2] His nomination was approved by the National Assembly on 2 April 2007.^[2]

On February 2009, he was appointed to the ambassador to the United States. In March 2013 he was replaced by Choi Young-jin.

References