Han Duck-soo, who is serving as South Korea's acting president due to Yoon Suk Yeol's removal from office on April 4, does not have the authority to make trade deals with the administration of US President Donald Trump, the Democratic Party of Korea said Monday.
The Democratic Party of Korea's task force for trade security held its first meeting Monday and said the acting president would be "stepping out of his lane" if he tries to realize any high-stakes negotiations with the US.
Task force head Kim Hyung-chong, who was deputy director of the National Security Office under former President Moon Jae-in, said Han's job as acting president should be limited to managing the status quo until South Korea's next president is elected on June 3.
Kim said that Han "getting his hands on trade negotiations ... could hurt national interests."
Kim warned Han not to "rush into negotiations with the US and make concessions without a meaningful counteroffer."
"If Han Duck-soo strikes deals that are one-sidedly in favor of the US, it would not only destroy his reputation as a trade expert but put a heavy burden on the next administration," he said.
Monday's remarks from Kim came amid speculations about whether Han is planning to run for president.
The former NSO deputy director said Han shouldn't be "acting on his own ambitions when national interests are at stake," seeming to allude to the acting president's potential presidential run.
"I would like to remind the acting president that he does not have the authority and legitimacy as a Cabinet member of the ousted president to negotiate with the US on trade, which can have significant consequences," Kim said.
Kim also noted that Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok, who is set to hold trade talks with his US counterparts in Washington later this week, "should not forget that the administration under the acting president shouldn't stand in the way of the new government in negotiations with the US."
arin@heraldcorp.com
