Han Duck-soo

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 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.

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