Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok speaks at a meeting of economy-related ministers at the government complex in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap)
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok speaks at a meeting of economy-related ministers at the government complex in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap)

South Korea's foreign ministry notified foreign missions in Seoul of a change in the acting presidency following the resignation of acting President Han Duck-soo, government officials said Thursday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter to diplomatic missions in South Korea, stating that Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choi Sang-mok will assume the role of acting president starting at midnight Thursday, according to the officials.

The letter also emphasized that South Korea's diplomatic direction and policy philosophy will remain unchanged.

Earlier in the day, Han, who had been serving as both acting president and prime minister, stepped down, signaling his intention to run in the June 3 presidential election, which was triggered by the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.