Seoul, May 1 -- South Korea's acting president and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced his resignation on Thursday in a televised address to the nation, amid wide expectations for his presidential run.

Han said that he decided to step down in order to do what he can and has to do at the time of crisis faced by the country, noting that unless the extreme politics are abandoned and the foundation for cooperation is established, division and conflict will be repeated no matter who will be in power.

He emphasized that he will go all the way to be the best for South Korea at this moment and in the future to the end.

With Han's resignation, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok will serve as acting president...