President Lee Jae Myung nominated Minister of SMEs and Startups Han Seong-sook as prime minister on Sunday, setting the stage for South Korea to install its first female premier in nearly two decades. If lawmakers approve the 59-year-old tech executive, she will become only the second woman ever to hold the office. Her nomination as female premier follows the expected departure of current Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who plans to run for the ruling party leadership.
Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik announced the decision at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. He explained that Lee selected Han because of her deep experience in both the technology sector and government. Moreover, Kang argued she is uniquely positioned to steer South Korea through an era of rapid artificial intelligence transformation. “Based on her experience as the CEO of an IT company and as the SMEs minister, she is expected to successfully accomplish the era-defining task of the AI transition,” Kang said. Consequently, he described her as an inspirational leader who rose from an ordinary office worker to the top of a premier digital company.
Han is one of the country’s best-known information technology figures. She began her career as a technology reporter before leading the search business at Empas, an early internet portal. Later, she joined NHN, now Naver, in 2007 and held several senior roles. In 2017, she became Naver’s first female chief executive officer. Meanwhile, she led the internet giant through an expansion in artificial intelligence and digital services. After stepping down as CEO in 2022, she managed Naver’s European business and chaired the Korea Internet Enterprise Association. She then joined the government as SMEs minister, where she launched the “Startup for Everyone Project.”
As minister, Han emphasized speed, results, and field-oriented administration. As a result, the ministry achieved record export performance and revitalized the startup ecosystem. Kang highlighted that her innovative leadership could help ensure that economic gains from semiconductors and exports spread to small businesses and local commercial districts. The nomination of a female premier drew immediate attention to the glass ceiling in South Korean politics. Lee had narrowed his shortlist to three candidates, including Kang and Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho, before making his decision. Political sources expect confirmation hearings to begin soon in the National Assembly. If confirmed, Han will lead the cabinet at a time of intense technological change and domestic political realignment.
