Han was appointed prime minister, the country’s No. 2 post, by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office, triggering the by-election.
Han has been emerging as a potential conservative standard bearer, as the main conservative People Power Party remains in disarray over Yoon’s Dec. 3 imposition of martial law.
Observers say Han is expected to align with the People Power Party to launch a unified conservative campaign against liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung. (AP) AMS