Gwangju: Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited the May 18th National Cemetery in Gwangju, marking the beginning of his campaign for the upcoming June election. However, his visit was met with protests from demonstrators opposing his presence.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Han's visit to the cemetery, located 357 kilometers south of Seoul, came just hours after he formally announced his candidacy for the June 3 election. The former prime minister encountered strong opposition as demonstrators expressed their discontent upon his arrival.
The protests follow Han's resignation on Thursday from his roles as acting president and prime minister. These positions were assumed following President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law in December.
A tense moment occurred when a protester struck Han on the head with a placard, leading to immediate intervention by security personnel. Han reportedly did not suffer serious injuries from the incident.
Despite the confrontation, which lasted around 20 minutes, Han managed to pay his respects with a silent tribute at the entrance of the cemetery before departing.
Han's official entry into the presidential race was announced at the National Assembly, positioning him as a key conservative contender. He is anticipated to compete against Lee Jae-myung, the leading candidate from the liberal Democratic Party.