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.