Image credit: Korea Times
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has nominated Han Seong-sook, the minister of small and medium-sized enterprises and startups, for the post of prime minister, the presidential office said on Sunday.If approved by Parliament, Han will become South Korea’s first female prime minister in 20 years.Han, who previously served as CEO of South Korean internet giant Naver, is expected to lead the country’s artificial intelligence-based economic transformation, Kang Hoon-shik, presidential chief of staff, said at a news conference.“Han will be able to transform South Korea’s economic growth — driven by the semiconductor boom and rising exports — into inclusive growth that reaches everyone, including small and medium-sized enterprises,” Kang said.
Self-made leader
When announcing the nomination, Kang Han described her as a leader capable of achieving growth that benefits the entire nation, noting that she had risen from an ordinary office worker to become the head of a leading digital company.“Han combines practicality with the innovative spirit of the private sector and understands better than anyone else the need for a major AI-driven transformation in our society,” Kang said.Before entering government, Han built her career in the technology sector, where she served as CEO of Naver.
She also held positions as Senior Vice President of Services Oversight at Naver and President of the Search Business at Empas. She graduated from Sookmyung Women’s University with a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature.
Register as Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises
Kang highlighted Han’s performance as SME Minister, saying she focused on speed, results and engagement with companies on the ground while working to support small business owners.According to the presidential office, her tenure helped achieve tangible achievements, including record-high exports of SMEs and efforts to boost Korea’s startup ecosystem.The role of prime minister is largely ceremonial and administrative under South Korea’s presidential system.