Han Duck-soo

Prime Minister of South Korea

18 June 1949 Jeonju, North Jeolla, South Korea)

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2 April 2007 – 29 February 2008

South Korean politician For the founder and former chairman of Chongryon, see Han Duk-su. In this Korean name, the family name is Han. Han Duck-soo (한덕수; born 18 June 1949) is a South Korean politician who served as the 34th Prime Minister of South Korea, from 2007 until February 2008, and as the ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2013. He served as Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association from 2012 to 2015. Education Han earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Seoul National University in 1971 and a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University in 1984. Career 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 of South Korea 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.