South Korea’s acting leader, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, said Thursday he is resigning to take on “heavier responsibility” amid expectation he will run in next month’s presidential election.Han has emerged as a potential conservative standard bearer as the main conservative People Power Party remains in disarray over ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol 's stunning martial law imposition in December.

South Korea's former acting President Han Duck-soo said on Friday he would join the race to become the country's next president after resigning the day before.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been mulling whether to run for election, while the main opposition candidate and front-runner suffered a setback in court.