Lee taps SME minister Han Seong-sook for PM

South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung has nominated Minister of SMEs and Startups Han Seong-sook as the country’s next prime minister, marking a historic step toward appointing its first female premier in nearly 20 years. If approved by the National Assembly, Han, 59, will become only the second woman to hold the office since Han Myeong-sook served from 2006 to 2007. The nomination comes as current Prime Minister Kim Min-seok prepares to step down to run for leadership of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea later this year. Han’s selection reflects her dual background in technology and government, positioning her to lead South Korea through its AI-driven transformation. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik emphasized her experience as CEO of Naver, South Korea’s largest internet portal, and her tenure as SMEs minister, where she oversaw policies supporting small businesses and startups. Kang highlighted her ability to merge private-sector innovation with public administration, calling her an ‘inspirational leader’ who rose from an office worker to a top digital executive. During her tenure at Naver, Han held senior roles including search quality director and general service director before becoming the company’s first female CEO in 2017. She led Naver’s expansion in AI and digital services before stepping down in 2022 to focus on European business development and advisory roles. Her government career began in 2022 as SMEs minister, where she launched initiatives like the ‘Startup for Everyone Project,’ shifting the ministry’s focus toward growth and export performance. Kang noted Han’s record as SMEs minister achieved the ministry’s highest-ever export results while revitalizing the startup ecosystem. He stressed her potential to translate economic gains from the semiconductor industry and rising exports into broader growth for small businesses and local communities. Lee reportedly narrowed his shortlist for the premiership to three candidates, including Han, Kang Hoon-sik, and Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho, ultimately selecting her for her unique blend of tech expertise and administrative experience. Han’s nomination underscores South Korea’s push to integrate AI into its economic strategy, with Lee framing her appointment as essential for leading the nation through technological change. Her career trajectory—from tech reporter to corporate leader to government minister—reflects a rare combination of industry insight and policy experience, positioning her to address challenges in AI adoption and small business development.