Dr. Han served as Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea (2008-2009). He was the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Change (2007-08) and for Disaster Risk Reduction and Water(2013-18) and a member of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board for Water and Sanitation(2007-15). He was President of the 56th Session of the United Nations General Assembly(2001-02), Korea’s Foreign Minister(2001-02), DPM and Finance Minister(1996-97), Chief of Staff to the President1994-95), Korean Ambassador to the US(1993-94) and Minister of Trade and Industry(1988-90). He was a three-term Member of the Korean National Assembly.
He was educated at Yonsei University(BA), Seoul National University (MPA), and University of York, UK(Ph.D.1968/D.Univ.1997). Before he entered politics in 1988, he was Professor of Economics at Seoul National University (1970-88)
He is currently Co-Chair of the International Finance Forum (China), Chair of the High-Level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters, Chair of ADB’s Water Advisory Group, Distinguished Professor at Zhejiang University IBS, Chair of the International Committee of IMI of Renmin University and Founder, GG56.
He received the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the United Nations(2001) and was awarded an honorary knighthood (KBE) from HM Queen Elizabeth II of the UK(2004).