SOUTH Korea’s acting leader, Prime Minister Han Duck Soo, said today that he is resigning to take on “heavier responsibility” amid expectation he will run in next month’s presidential election.

Mr Han has emerged as a potential conservative standard bearer as the main conservative People Power Party (PPP) remains in disarray over ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law imposition in December.

South Korean media reported that Mr Han will officially launch his presidential campaign on Friday.

“I have two paths ahead of me. One is completing the heavy responsibility that I handle now. The other is putting down that responsibility and taking a heavier responsibility,” Mr Han said in a nationally televised announcement.

“I’ve finally determined to put down my post to do what I can and what I have to help overcome the crises facing us.”

Mr Han, who Mr Yoon had appointed prime minister, is expected to align with the PPP to launch a unified conservative campaign against liberal front-runner Lee Jae Myung, observers say.