SME Minister Han Seong-sook nominated as South Korea's first female prime minister in two decades

FILE photo: President Lee Jae Myung (left) poses with Minister of SMEs and Startups Han Seong-sook after presenting her with a letter of appointment on July 28, 2025. The presidential office announced Sunday that Han had been nominated as prime minister. - Photo: Yonhap

SEOUL: President Lee Jae Myung has nominated Han Seong-sook, the incumbent minister of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as the next prime minister, a senior presidential official said Sunday (June 7).

If confirmed by the National Assembly, Han would become the Lee government's first female prime minister and South Korea's second female prime minister since Han Myeong-sook, who served in the post from 2006-2007.

Han, who had also previously served as chief executive of South Korean internet giant Naver, is expected to lead the country's AI transformation, South Korea's presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said at a press briefing.

"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.

The role of prime minister is largely ceremonial and administrative under South Korea’s presidential system. - The Korea Herald, Reuters